Under India's Dome, How Terrifying Can Air Pollution Be?

In the global landscape of air pollution control, India stands out in an awkward spotlight for its "top-ranking" position. The severity of air pollution within its borders not only redefines the baseline of human understanding of environmental degradation but also inflicts devastating impacts on public health, social functioning, and economic development. This article will systematically analyze the current state, hazards, causes, and governance challenges of air pollution in India, uncovering the deeper logic behind this ecological crisis.

I. Global Air Pollution Landscape: India "Dominates" the Worst Rankings

In 2025, the list of the world's top 100 most polluted cities released by the global air quality ranking organization IQAir paints a shocking picture. On this list, India alone accounts for 94 out of the 100 cities with the worst air quality globally, nearly monopolizing the vast majority of spots on the "pollution ranking." Among them, India's capital, Delhi, topped the list as the world's most polluted city, becoming a "negative example" in global air pollution control. In 2025, the list of the world's top 100 most polluted cities released by the global air quality ranking organization IQAir paints a shocking picture. On this list, India alone accounts for 94 out of the 100 cities with the worst air quality globally, nearly monopolizing the vast majority of spots on the "pollution ranking." Among them, India's capital, Delhi, topped the list as the world's most polluted city, becoming a "negative example" in global air pollution control.

II. Delhi Air Pollution: The Alarming Level of Pollution

Data: Far exceeding the threshold for severe pollution.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is the core indicator for measuring the degree of air pollution. Its classification standards are: <50 is excellent, <100 is good, <150 is light pollution, <200 is moderate pollution, <300 is heavy pollution, >300 is severe pollution. A comparison of data from the same period shows that on November 22, 2025, the average AQI in Beijing was about 54, falling within the "good" range; while the average AQI in Delhi during the same period was as high as 465, far exceeding the severe pollution threshold, firmly ranking first in the world. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is the core indicator for measuring the degree of air pollution. Its classification standards are: <50 is excellent, <100 is good, <150 is light pollution, <200 is moderate pollution, <300 is heavy pollution, >300 is severe pollution. A comparison of data from the same period shows that on November 22, 2025, the average AQI in Beijing was about 54, falling within the "good" range; while the average AQI in Delhi during the same period was as high as 465, far exceeding the severe pollution threshold, firmly ranking first in the world.

According to historical data, between 2021 and 2024, air pollution in Delhi repeatedly reached extreme levels, with the AQI peaking as high as 790. In some areas, it even reached a staggering over 1700, with pollution levels approaching those of poison gas released by both sides during World War I. According to historical data, between 2021 and 2024, air pollution in Delhi repeatedly reached extreme levels, with the AQI peaking as high as 790. In some areas, it even reached a staggering over 1700, with pollution levels approaching those of poison gas released by both sides during World War I.

Visualizing the Hazards: The Dual Devastation of Health and Physical Sensation

For local residents, air pollution is not an abstract statistic, but a tangible and painful experience—they describe the inhaled air as "like sandpaper scraping the throat." More seriously, pollution has become a "silent killer" that claims lives: according to statistics, approximately 10% of deaths in Delhi are related to air pollution, and the lung conditions of many children resemble those of elderly people who have smoked for decades; assessments by the Indian healthcare system indicate that air pollution has reduced the life expectancy of a large number of Indians by about ten years. For local residents, air pollution is not an abstract statistic, but a tangible and painful experience—they describe the inhaled air as "like sandpaper scraping the throat." More seriously, pollution has become a "silent killer" that claims lives: according to statistics, approximately 10% of deaths in Delhi are related to air pollution, and the lung conditions of many children resemble those of elderly people who have smoked for decades; assessments by the Indian healthcare system indicate that air pollution has reduced the life expectancy of a large number of Indians by about ten years.

III. The Chain Reaction of Air Pollution: A Social Crisis Sweeping Across the Nation

The heavy cost of life and health.

According to research data from The Lancet Global Health, from 2009 to 2019, 3.8 million deaths in India were related to air pollution. Focusing on Delhi, in the first three quarters of 2025, hospital admissions due to air pollution reached 420,000 cases, a year-on-year increase of 37%. Local pulmonologist Patel stated frankly that he now sees over 80 lung disease patients daily, one-third of whom are children. Research from the World Bank further confirms that the average life expectancy of Delhi residents is 9.5 years shorter than that of residents in clean cities. According to research data from The Lancet Global Health, from 2009 to 2019, 3.8 million deaths in India were related to air pollution. Focusing on Delhi, in the first three quarters of 2025, hospital admissions due to air pollution reached 420,000 cases, a year-on-year increase of 37%. Local pulmonologist Patel stated frankly that he now sees over 80 lung disease patients daily, one-third of whom are children. Research from the World Bank further confirms that the average life expectancy of Delhi residents is 9.5 years shorter than that of residents in clean cities.

The chain reaction between the economy and nationwide pollution.

The impact of pollution has extended from the health sector to the economic level. A 2009 study revealed that air pollution caused 1.67 million deaths in India that year, resulting in economic losses of 36.8 billion US dollars. Consequently, India became the country with the highest number of deaths related to air pollution. The impact of pollution has extended from the health sector to the economic level. A 2009 study revealed that air pollution caused 1.67 million deaths in India that year, resulting in economic losses of 36.8 billion US dollars. Consequently, India became the country with the highest number of deaths related to air pollution.

More alarmingly, pollution has become a nationwide trend: IQAir reports show that India's national annual average PM2.5 concentration reached 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 10 times the WHO recommended value (5 micrograms per cubic meter), and not a single city in the country meets the WHO safety standard. More alarmingly, pollution has become a nationwide trend: IQAir reports show that India's national annual average PM2.5 concentration reached 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 10 times the WHO recommended value (5 micrograms per cubic meter), and not a single city in the country meets the WHO safety standard.

IV. The Winter of the Year: An Unprecedented Pollution Disaster

In the winter of 2024, India's air pollution crisis reached its peak, triggering a series of public safety incidents. On November 18, 2024, in Delhi, with a population of 33 million, the PM2.5 concentration reached 669 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding the WHO safety standard by 93 times. The air pollution index once soared to 1185, far surpassing the hazardous level threshold. In the winter of 2024, India's air pollution crisis reached its peak, triggering a series of public safety incidents. On November 18, 2024, in Delhi, with a population of 33 million, the PM2.5 concentration reached 669 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding the WHO safety standard by 93 times. The air pollution index once soared to 1185, far surpassing the hazardous level threshold.

Extreme pollution causes iconic landmarks to "disappear": The famous India Gate is barely visible through the haze, while in Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, visibility has dropped to almost zero, completely obscuring the monument. The transportation system has also been severely disrupted. From [specific date range], airports in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and other regions repeatedly reported zero visibility, leading to massive flight cancellations at airports such as Amritsar, Bhopal, and Gorakhpur, causing severe passenger congestion.

Low visibility has also triggered a large number of traffic accidents: On [Date], in Chhattisgarh, India, a bus carrying passengers collided with an oil tanker, resulting in fatalities. Police investigation confirmed that heavy fog at the time was the primary cause. On [Date], due to pollution-induced poor visibility, India witnessed four train accidents in a single day, causing deaths and at least injuries. In fact, public transportation accidents caused by air pollution occur almost daily, making it difficult to accurately count the number of casualties.

V. Tracing the Roots: The Five Core Causes of Air Pollution in India

Industrial Pollution: The Dominant Role of Outdated Coal-Fired Power Generation

India generates over 50% of its electricity from coal-fired power plants, with most domestic plants using outdated technology and low environmental standards, resulting in severe pollution emissions far exceeding limits. As of 2025, only two thermal power units in the entire country are equipped with desulfurization equipment, and the vast majority of power plants have not installed flue gas desulfurization systems. Data shows that the average sulfur dioxide emission concentration from India's coal-fired power plants is 1500 mg/m³, significantly higher than China's standard (below 35 mg/m³), with overall emissions approximately 7.1 times that of China. More critically, due to prominent power shortages, the Indian government has clearly stated that it will not close any coal power plants before 2030, making it difficult to curb the source of industrial pollution. India generates over 50% of its electricity from coal-fired power plants, with most domestic plants using outdated technology and low environmental standards, resulting in severe pollution emissions far exceeding limits. As of 2025, only two thermal power units in the entire country are equipped with desulfurization equipment, and the vast majority of power plants have not installed flue gas desulfurization systems. Data shows that the average sulfur dioxide emission concentration from India's coal-fired power plants is 1500 mg/m³, significantly higher than China's standard (below 35 mg/m³), with overall emissions approximately 7.1 times that of China. More critically, due to prominent power shortages, the Indian government has clearly stated that it will not close any coal power plants before 2030, making it difficult to curb the source of industrial pollution.

Traffic pollution: the compounding effect of a surge in vehicles and low-quality fuel.

Motor vehicles contribute to 27% of India's air pollution, making them the second largest source of pollution. From 2010 to 2020, the number of vehicles in India surged from 128 million to 326 million. Alongside this rapid increase, there are two major core issues: first, fuel adulteration is widespread, with illegal vendors mixing kerosene, solvent oil, and even impurities into gasoline and diesel for profit. The proportion of kerosene in Indian fuel generally reaches 10% to 30%. On June 27, 2005, the convoy of the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh experienced complete breakdown after refueling at an Indian Oil Corporation station, due to a large amount of water mixed into the fuel. Second, vehicles are old, with most vehicles classified as "yellow-label vehicles" that should be phased out according to Chinese standards, resulting in high emissions. Additionally, backward infrastructure, lack of highways, and weak law enforcement lead to extreme traffic congestion, with an average driving speed of less than 20 km/h, further exacerbating exhaust pollution. Motor vehicles contribute to 27% of India's air pollution, making them the second largest source of pollution. From 2010 to 2020, the number of vehicles in India surged from 128 million to 326 million. Alongside this rapid increase, there are two major core issues: first, fuel adulteration is widespread, with illegal vendors mixing kerosene, solvent oil, and even impurities into gasoline and diesel for profit. The proportion of kerosene in Indian fuel generally reaches 10% to 30%. On June 27, 2005, the convoy of the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh experienced complete breakdown after refueling at an Indian Oil Corporation station, due to a large amount of water mixed into the fuel. Second, vehicles are old, with most vehicles classified as "yellow-label vehicles" that should be phased out according to Chinese standards, resulting in high emissions. Additionally, backward infrastructure, lack of highways, and weak law enforcement lead to extreme traffic congestion, with an average driving speed of less than 20 km/h, further exacerbating exhaust pollution.

Domestic Pollution: Dependence on Biomass Fuel Driven by Poverty

Rural poverty is the root cause of living pollution in India. Due to widespread poverty, a large number of households use old-fashioned stoves, burning everything available for cooking and heating, including coal, wood, straw, crop stalks, cow dung, horse dung, and even plastic waste. Data shows that two-thirds of households in India (approximately 160 million in total) use such fuels daily, causing severe indoor and outdoor air pollution. Environmental activist Mukherjee once lamented: "Farmers know they won't survive more than 5 years farming in toxic fumes, but they have no money to buy alternatives." Rural poverty is the root cause of living pollution in India. Due to widespread poverty, a large number of households use old-fashioned stoves, burning everything available for cooking and heating, including coal, wood, straw, crop stalks, cow dung, horse dung, and even plastic waste. Data shows that two-thirds of households in India (approximately 160 million in total) use such fuels daily, causing severe indoor and outdoor air pollution. Environmental activist Mukherjee once lamented: "Farmers know they won't survive more than 5 years farming in toxic fumes, but they have no money to buy alternatives."

Geographical factors: Natural "pollution traps"

India's geographical terrain further exacerbates the accumulation of pollution: the Indian subcontinent is flanked by oceans on both sides, with plains and deserts dominating its central region. Sea winds from the Indian Ocean blow pollutants toward northern India, while the towering Himalayas act as a natural barrier, trapping these pollutants in the northern areas. This creates vast swathes of toxic haze that struggle to disperse, making pollution control even more challenging.

Poor management: Frequent accidents and gas leaks.

The absence of government management leads to frequent man-made pollution incidents: In April 2024, the Ghazipur landfill near New Delhi caught fire due to methane explosions from waste, burning an area larger than 40 football fields and enveloping hundreds of thousands of people in toxic smoke; chemical plant accidents are even more common. On May 7, 2020, a styrene leak occurred at the LG Chem polymer plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in 11 deaths and 150 hospitalizations; while the 1984 Bhopal disaster shocked the world, with a cyanide gas leak from the Union Carbide Corporation causing 25,000 direct deaths, 550,000 indirect deaths, and over 200,000 permanent disabilities. In fact, chemical plant gas leaks occur almost monthly in India. The absence of government management leads to frequent man-made pollution incidents: In April 2024, the Ghazipur landfill near New Delhi caught fire due to methane explosions from waste, burning an area larger than 40 football fields and enveloping hundreds of thousands of people in toxic smoke; chemical plant accidents are even more common. On May 7, 2020, a styrene leak occurred at the LG Chem polymer plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in 11 deaths and 150 hospitalizations; while the 1984 Bhopal disaster shocked the world, with a cyanide gas leak from the Union Carbide Corporation causing 25,000 direct deaths, 550,000 indirect deaths, and over 200,000 permanent disabilities. In fact, chemical plant gas leaks occur almost monthly in India.

VI. Governance Dilemma: The Failure and Absurd Responses of the Indian Government

Laws and regulations exist in name only: enforcement faces numerous obstacles.

India is not lacking in environmental regulations; the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Act was passed in 1981, and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards were revised in 2009. However, as India is a loosely federated polity of states, any environmental policy faces multi-party negotiations and resistance. Industries oppose increasing environmental costs, fearing impacts on profits; the agricultural sector refuses to restrict crop residue burning, with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh even stating that burning crop residue is a "farmer tradition and cannot deprive them of their livelihood"; the energy sector strongly supports coal-fired power plants, with India's Oil Minister bluntly stating that shutting down power plants would lead to millions of job losses; and the automotive industry protests that electric vehicle subsidies would destroy the sector. Under such multiple pressures, environmental regulations have become mere "paper documents."

The specific policies have completely collapsed: from traffic restrictions to the misappropriation of funds.

Several specific governance policies introduced by the Indian government have ended in failure: The odd-even vehicle restriction policy implemented in Delhi in 2024 aimed to reduce exhaust emissions, but due to poor management, it only reduced traffic flow by 15% in reality, also causing massive commuting chaos. It completely collapsed after just 3 days of enforcement, and during the restriction period, the number of private cars actually increased by 12%, leading to a rise rather than a decrease in pollution; On the eve of Diwali in October 2024, the Delhi government introduced a ban targeting fireworks, but only dispatched 377 enforcement teams to manage a city of 20 million people. The ban was widely violated, and pollution levels soared directly after the festival. Several specific governance policies introduced by the Indian government have ended in failure: The odd-even vehicle restriction policy implemented in Delhi in 2024 aimed to reduce exhaust emissions, but due to poor management, it only reduced traffic flow by 15% in reality, also causing massive commuting chaos. It completely collapsed after just 3 days of enforcement, and during the restriction period, the number of private cars actually increased by 12%, leading to a rise rather than a decrease in pollution; On the eve of Diwali in October 2024, the Delhi government introduced a ban targeting fireworks, but only dispatched 377 enforcement teams to manage a city of 20 million people. The ban was widely violated, and pollution levels soared directly after the festival.

There are also serious issues at the funding guarantee level. The Indian government allocated a 7 billion rupee clean air fund last year, yet 70% of the funds remain stuck in New Delhi and have not been disbursed to the actual governance processes. This lack of necessary financial support hampers the governance efforts. There are also serious issues at the funding guarantee level. The Indian government allocated a 7 billion rupee clean air fund last year, yet 70% of the funds remain stuck in New Delhi and have not been disbursed to the actual governance processes. This lack of necessary financial support hampers the governance efforts.

Absurd Responses and Data Fabrication: Governance Reduced to Empty Talk

In the face of a severe pollution crisis, some Indian officials have not only failed to propose practical solutions but have also put forward a series of absurd "brilliant ideas." On November 4, Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardan urged the public to "eat carrots to prevent health hazards related to pollution," which drew collective ridicule from netizens. Politician Sardar even shifted the blame for pollution to neighboring countries, claiming that the toxic gas was "released by Pakistan and China, who fear us."

What's even worse is that the Indian government has engaged in falsifying monitoring data: by deploying water sprinklers to spray large amounts of water around air pollution monitoring sensors, artificially lowering the monitoring readings. A former member of the ruling party in Delhi shared a video exposing this manipulation that "deceived the Supreme Court." An investigation found that 88% of monitoring stations in Delhi violated official guidelines. What's even worse is that the Indian government has engaged in falsifying monitoring data: by deploying water sprinklers to spray large amounts of water around air pollution monitoring sensors, artificially lowering the monitoring readings. A former member of the ruling party in Delhi shared a video exposing this manipulation that "deceived the Supreme Court." An investigation found that 88% of monitoring stations in Delhi violated official guidelines.

Attempts to imitate Chinese technology also ended in failure: On October 28, 2025, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur collaborated on an artificial rainfall project, spraying silver iodide and sodium chloride into the clouds, but it completely failed due to poor cloud conditions. Related videos pointed out that globally, only China possesses a complete system for artificial rainfall technology. Meanwhile, the waste-to-energy project modeled after China's is actually in an unregulated state. Factories, in order to cut costs, ignore safety regulations and directly discharge toxic chemicals without treatment. Laboratory tests commissioned by The New York Times found that harmful chemicals in the air of this area far exceeded safety standards, with dioxin levels reaching several times the legal limit, exposing as many as one million people to toxic fumes. Attempts to imitate Chinese technology also ended in failure: On October 28, 2025, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur collaborated on an artificial rainfall project, spraying silver iodide and sodium chloride into the clouds, but it completely failed due to poor cloud conditions. Related videos pointed out that globally, only China possesses a complete system for artificial rainfall technology. Meanwhile, the waste-to-energy project modeled after China's is actually in an unregulated state. Factories, in order to cut costs, ignore safety regulations and directly discharge toxic chemicals without treatment. Laboratory tests commissioned by The New York Times found that harmful chemicals in the air of this area far exceeded safety standards, with dioxin levels reaching several times the legal limit, exposing as many as one million people to toxic fumes.

VII. Expert Analysis: The Fundamental Issues in India's Pollution Control

Indian environmental officials once boasted, "We have the best environmental laws in the world," but experts' criticisms point directly to the core issues. Environmental expert Ritwik Dutta pointed out that air pollution is the result of 30 years of poor pollution management. The central government has shirked all responsibility, the National Pollution Control Board is understaffed, its personnel lack professional training, and there is an absence of effective mechanisms to ensure policy implementation. Scholar Sumit Sharma added that India still relies on "special measures" to tackle pollution, lacking a scientific and systematic governance approach. Indian environmental officials once boasted, "We have the best environmental laws in the world," but experts' criticisms point directly to the core issues. Environmental expert Ritwik Dutta pointed out that air pollution is the result of 30 years of poor pollution management. The central government has shirked all responsibility, the National Pollution Control Board is understaffed, its personnel lack professional training, and there is an absence of effective mechanisms to ensure policy implementation. Scholar Sumit Sharma added that India still relies on "special measures" to tackle pollution, lacking a scientific and systematic governance approach.

The core disparity lies in the absence of a governance system. China has made significant progress in environmental governance, relying on three key elements: first, a strong and accountable government; second, officials who are willing to take concrete actions; and third, a people who are dedicated to improving their homeland. These three aspects are precisely what India, which is "skilled at rhetoric but not at practical action," lacks.

VIII. Conclusion: India's Air Pollution Control Has a Long Way to Go

India's air pollution crisis is a complex ecological disaster caused by a combination of industrial backwardness, chaotic transportation, worsening poverty, geographical constraints, and inadequate governance. From the extreme pollution levels exceeding peak limits in Delhi to the widespread presence of numerous Indian cities on the global list of the top 100 most polluted cities; from the tragic toll of millions of pollution-related deaths to the economic losses amounting to billions of dollars; and from the comprehensive failure of policy implementation to the absurd responses and data manipulation—all these factors reveal the deep-seated challenges in India's pollution control efforts.

As experts have pointed out, the root cause of India's pollution problem is not a lack of environmental regulations, but rather the absence of a strong, accountable, and effective governance system. In stark contrast to China's governance achievements, addressing India's governance gaps requires not only policy-level improvements but also coordinated efforts from the government, society, and the public. Clearly, India still has a long way to go in the battle against pollution, a fight that concerns the very right to survival of its people.