Hundreds protest Delhi’s hazardous air as pollution crisis deepens

Hundreds protest Delhi's hazardous air as pollution crisis deepens

Hundreds of residents gathered in Delhi on Sunday to demand urgent government action against worsening air pollution, as the capital's air quality index (AQI) remained at hazardous levels-20 to 30 times above World Health Organization (WHO) safety thresholds.

Protesters, including families with children, marched near India Gate, holding banners and chanting slogans. Around 80 demonstrators were briefly detained after police cited a lack of permits for the rally in the high-security area. Authorities later released all detainees, confirming they were adults.

Air quality reaches 'hazardous' levels

Delhi's AQI has fluctuated between 300 and 400 over the past three weeks, with Monday's federal Safar app reading at 330-classified as 'very poor.' However, private monitors like IQAir's Air Visual app reported levels between 414 and 507, deemed 'hazardous.'

The crisis escalates annually in winter due to crop stubble burning in neighboring states, stagnant winds, and persistent vehicular and industrial emissions. While pollution is a year-round issue, Sunday's protest marked the first major demonstration against it in recent years.

Symbolic gestures and demands for action

Many protesters wore gas masks to highlight the severity of the crisis. Banners displayed messages like 'Right to live, not just survive' and 'Life in Delhi: Take birth, breathe, die.' Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari criticized the government's inaction on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a tiered anti-pollution strategy.

'We've hit severe and hazardous pollution levels, but GRAP measures aren't fully enforced. My children will live 10 years less than cousins in cleaner cities. We're here because we still have hope.'

Bhavreen Kandhari, environmental activist

Another demonstrator dismissed recent government efforts-such as road sprinkling and a failed cloud-seeding attempt-as inadequate, urging 'serious' solutions.

Government response

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa defended the administration's actions in a Sunday video statement, listing anti-smog guns at high-rises, citywide dust suppression via water sprinklers, construction site monitoring, and expanded electric public buses.

'We're taking all possible steps to address this issue.'

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Delhi Environment Minister

Currently, only GRAP II restrictions-limiting diesel generators and coal/firewood burning-are active. GRAP III, which would halt non-essential construction and ban diesel vehicles, remains unimplemented despite deteriorating conditions.

Key context: Delhi's pollution tiers

• 0-100 AQI: Satisfactory
• 101-200: Moderate
• 201-300: Poor
• 301-400: Very poor (current level)
• 401+: Severe/hazardous (private monitors' readings)