Kiran Bedi has been highlighting the pollution crisis through frequent posts on X. In her latest post, she shared a Down To Earth cartoon showing two patients suffering due to toxic air. She captioned it, “Another feed,” along with the hashtag “pollution”. The post reflects her growing frustration.

However, her concerns go well beyond online warnings. In a detailed update, she described the situation as “agonising and depressing”. She said that the AQI in her own area, Indirapuram, touched 587. Because of this, she decided not to send her child to school. She also wrote a firm email to the principal, stressing the health risks. According to her, individuals can take small steps, but the larger crisis needs urgent government attention.

Bedi also explained how the pollution has affected her personally. She recently battled a severe chest infection caused by the toxic air. She said young children, working adults, and elderly residents are all struggling every day. Her warning was blunt: “It’s like COVID. Either you’re a victim, or you are a potential victim.”

In another post, she urged the PMO to take direct charge. She said only strong action from the Centre can push the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi to act responsibly. She ended her message with a plea: “Please make Delhi healthy again.”

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According to AQI.in, the PM2.5 concentration over the past 24 hours still remains worrying. The platform estimated that breathing Delhi’s air currently equals smoking around 10 cigarettes a day, assuming consistent exposure. Despite the marginal improvement, pollution levels continue to pose serious health risks for sensitive groups, children, and the elderly.

Officials attribute the improvement to favourable wind speed, slight temperature rise, and restricted industrial operations under previous GRAP phases. With GRAP III now revoked, construction and demolition activities—except for essential projects—may resume, although authorities have urged agencies to maintain strict dust-control measures.

Environmental experts warn that the relief may be temporary, as winter conditions, low wind speed, and dense fog could again worsen pollution levels in the coming days. Doctors also advise residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, wear N95 masks, and use air purifiers indoors.

Meanwhile, Delhi residents expressed cautious optimism, hoping that air quality will continue to improve as measures remain in force under GRAP I and II. The CAQM has reiterated that long-term solutions—such as cleaner transportation, regulated biomass burning, and improved waste management—must be strengthened to ensure sustainable air quality in the region.

With the winter season deepening, pollution management remains a major challenge for Delhi-NCR. Authorities continue to monitor AQI levels closely, ready to reimpose restrictions if pollution spikes again.

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Several monitoring stations breached the 400 mark early in the morning, slipping into the ‘severe’ category. Rohini reported the highest AQI at 416, followed by Anand Vihar at 401. Jahangirpuri and Wazirpur logged an AQI of 400 each by 8 am, highlighting the widespread deterioration in air quality. Many locations hovered dangerously close to severe levels, signaling persistent health risks for residents.

Key areas like AIIMS and Safdarjung also reported reduced visibility due to dense smog. AQI near these hospitals stood at 323. Popular commercial and residential hubs continued to suffer: Chandni Chowk (354), RK Puram (390), ITO (384), Punjabi Bagh (391), Patparganj (378), Pusa (359), and Dwarka Sector-8 (379).

Meanwhile, concerns rose after the eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi shield volcano in the Afar region. Satellite data showed ash from the eruption spreading across the Red Sea. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that the ash plume was drifting eastward toward China and would move away from India by 7:30 pm on Tuesday. Forecast models indicated that some influence of volcanic ash could be observed over Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana throughout the day.

Although the ash cloud is not expected to cause major deterioration, experts warn that the ongoing local pollution crisis remains a more pressing contributor to Delhi’s toxic air.

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Residents expressed frustration, urging long-term solutions. One Delhi citizen suggested authorities “plant at least 2 crore trees” to combat pollution. Experts cited stubble burning in neighboring states, vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and stagnant weather conditions as major contributors trapping pollutants over the city.

Amid public outcry, the Delhi High Court directed schools to avoid outdoor sports from November to January to safeguard children from harmful smog exposure. Simultaneously, the Supreme Court ordered subsistence support for workers affected by GRAP-III measures, implemented on 11 November, which include temporary restrictions on construction, industrial activity, and vehicular movement to reduce pollution.

Medical experts warned that AQI levels approaching 400 could cause respiratory issues, throat and eye irritation, and aggravate chronic conditions. Citizens are advised to limit outdoor exposure, wear N95 masks, and use air purifiers indoors.

Environmentalists emphasized the need for long-term solutions, including stricter enforcement against stubble burning, expanding urban green cover, and promoting public transport to reduce vehicular pollution. The worsening air quality crisis underscores the urgent need for coordinated action between the government, judiciary, and citizens to protect public health and the environment.

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During a Supreme Court hearing on November 13, Justice PS Narsimha urged lawyers to use virtual facilities, saying, “Even masks are not enough. The pollution will cause permanent damage.” His comments came as visibility dropped across the city, and smog blanketed major areas like India Gate and Kartavya Path.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Bawana recorded the highest AQI level at 460, while NSIT Dwarka had the lowest at 216. Around India Gate, the air was in the ‘very poor’ category at 396.

The Court has also directed the Punjab and Haryana governments to file reports on measures to control stubble burning — a major seasonal cause of the Delhi pollution peaks each winter. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) noted that vehicular emissions are still the main contributors to PM2.5 levels, while stubble burning can add up to 30% of Delhi’s pollution.

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