New Delhi: Delhi emerged as the world’s most polluted major city on Friday after hazardous air quality engulfed the national capital, pushing it ahead of Lahore in global pollution rankings. According to Swiss air quality monitoring agency IQAir, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 334, placing it at the top of the list of the world’s most polluted cities. Meanwhile, India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an even higher AQI of 403, categorising the air quality as “severe.” The difference in readings is attributed to the distinct methodologies and scales used by the two monitoring systems.

A thick blanket of smog reduced visibility across Delhi, affecting daily life and raising serious health concerns for millions of residents. Videos from various parts of the city showed vehicles moving slowly through dense haze, with even streetlights partially obscured by pollution. Health experts warn that such hazardous air conditions can trigger respiratory illnesses, worsen asthma, and pose significant risks to children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. Authorities have continued measures such as water sprinkling and anti-pollution drives to curb the worsening air quality.

Air pollution remains a recurring winter challenge across northern India and neighbouring Pakistan. Experts attribute the seasonal spike to a combination of vehicle emissions, construction dust, industrial pollution, and smoke from crop residue burning. During winter, cooler temperatures and stagnant atmospheric conditions trap pollutants close to the ground, causing smog to accumulate over cities. Environmental experts have repeatedly stressed the need for coordinated long-term measures, including stricter emission controls and sustainable agricultural practices, to address the region’s persistent air pollution crisis.