Air quality in New Delhi and surrounding NCR areas has deteriorated sharply, with a dense blanket of smog pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) beyond 400 and even 450 in several localities — levels classified as severe and hazardous to health.
The worsening pollution has once again triggered public health concerns, travel disruptions and calls for urgent intervention, as hospitals report a rise in respiratory complaints, especially among children, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
Why Delhi’s air worsens every winter
Delhi’s annual winter pollution crisis is driven by a combination of factors. Cold air traps pollutants close to the ground, while emissions from vehicular traffic, construction dust, industrial activity, firecrackers, stubble burning in neighbouring states, and coal- or biomass-based heating intensify the problem.
India’s pollution watchdog has warned that dozens of cities across the country are currently experiencing “poor” to “very poor” air quality, underlining that Delhi’s crisis is part of a wider regional challenge.
Beijing’s turnaround offers a case study
As India struggles to control urban air pollution, China’s experience — particularly Beijing’s transformation — is increasingly cited as a model worth studying.
Two decades ago, Beijing was known globally as one of the most polluted capitals. Preparations for the 2008 Olympics prompted temporary emission controls, but a decisive shift came in 2013, when China launched a nationwide five-year clean air action plan.
Key measures included:
- Closure of coal-fired boilers
- Relocation of polluting industries away from cities
- Expansion of public transport and electric vehicles
- Strict controls on construction dust
- Incentives to curb agricultural burning
- Early warning and emergency pollution-response systems
Sharp drop in PM2.5 levels
China placed special focus on reducing PM2.5 particles, which pose the greatest health risk due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
As a result, Beijing’s average PM2.5 concentration fell from 72 µg/m³ in 2013 to 36 µg/m³ in 2019, and further to 29.3 µg/m³ in 2024. In the first three quarters of 2025, it dropped to 24.9 µg/m³, according to official data.
While still above the World Health Organization guideline of 5 µg/m³, the improvement marks a major public policy achievement.
Economic growth alongside cleaner air
Notably, China’s clean-air push did not stall its economy. Between 2013 and 2024, the country’s GDP grew by over 73 per cent, even as pollution indicators improved.
Independent assessments back these gains. The Asian Development Bank reported that between 2015 and 2023, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region saw:
- PM2.5 levels fall by 44.2%
- Sulphur dioxide drop by 76.3%
- Nitrogen dioxide decline by 34.8%
- A rise in “good air quality” days to 63.1%
Relevance for India and Karnataka
Experts argue that India — including rapidly urbanising states like Karnataka — must draw lessons from China’s approach, particularly the emphasis on coordination between local and central governments, strict enforcement and investment in clean energy.
Cities such as Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mangaluru, which are seeing rising vehicular density and construction activity, could benefit from measures like:
- Real-time dust monitoring at construction sites
- Faster transition to electric buses and fleets
- Phasing out highly polluting vehicles and industries
- Stronger regional coordination on pollution control
A shared regional challenge
Air pollution remains the largest environmental health risk globally, cutting across borders and contributing to climate change, crop losses and economic damage. Even China has acknowledged signs of pollution resurgence in some regions, underscoring that vigilance and enforcement must continue.
For India, currently grappling with one of the world’s most severe urban air crises, complacency is not an option. Adapting proven strategies — while accounting for local conditions — could help balance economic growth with the urgent need for breathable air.
The road ahead
As Delhi once again gasps for clean air, the crisis highlights the cost of delayed action. China’s experience shows that long-term, science-based policies can deliver results, even at scale. For India and its states, including Karnataka, the challenge lies in translating these lessons into sustained, people-centred action before pollution becomes an irreversible public health disaster.
Excerpt:
Delhi’s air has turned severe this winter, reviving debate on pollution control as China’s successful clean-air policies offer lessons for India.