Fixing Delhi’s air quality crisis

July and August are prime months for Delhi to prepare for air pollution episodes in autumn and winter, which are now a defining feature of the National Capital Region (NCR). The electoral mandate this year has created a rare moment of political alignment across most States in the Delhi-NCR, opening the door for coordinated action on air quality. Delhi’s air pollution stems from both local sources and emissions from neighbouring States. To achieve the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, emission reductions across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) are essential.

The entire IGP should be treated as part of a larger airshed. As freight and buses ply freely across State borders, a regional strategy backed by political will is essential. Biomass burning in the residential sector generates more pollution than transport and needs stronger action across the entire airshed. Further, if all line departments issue directives based on a joint mandate from the States, these strategies could be streamlined. While this coordination has historically been challenging, the current electoral mandate can enable the States to promulgate achievable regional targets. Now is the time to build on the momentum for clean air, not just in Delhi but across the IGP. The decisive mandate of February 2025 could make October 2025 more breathable.

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The article was published in both online and print editions (‘State of Play’ column).