New restrictions kick in as Delhi battles pollution

On November 1, New Delhi implemented stricter pollution controls as part of its Winter Action Plan, with the city's chief minister, Rekha Gupta, appealing to residents to follow guidelines and improve air quality. The plan includes 24-hour monitoring, higher parking fees, and work-from-home orders for government and private sector offices to reduce traffic emissions.

Authorities will also prohibit vehicles not meeting emission standards from entering the capital, while a ban on dust-generating demolition and construction activity has been enforced immediately. Delhi's pollution levels, particularly PM2.5 particles, often exceed 300 micrograms per cubic metre during winter, surpassing the World Health Organization's recommended limit by 20 times.

In 2024, pollution levels reached 846 micrograms per cubic metre, or 56 times the safe threshold. Major contributors to Delhi's winter pollution include vehicle emissions (23%), biomass burning (20%), and industry (9%). Previous efforts to control pollution have had limited success, as the smog typically engulfs the city from November to January when cooler temperatures trap pollutants near the ground.