Irked by increased pollution levels in Delhi, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who is a Member of Parliament from Nagpur, on Tuesday confessed that he does not feel like visiting the National Capital as he often catches an infection due to the high pollution levels here. Addressing an event, Gadkari said the city of Delhi is such that, “I do not like to live here. I get an infection due to pollution here. ‘Har baar Delhi me aata hua, aisa lagta hain ki (Delhi) jaana chahiye ki nahi. Itna bhayankar pollution hai’ (Every time, while coming to Delhi, I think whether I should go or not because pollution levels are so high,” he said. 

As Delhi struggles with worsening air quality, Gadkari has proposed a shift to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered transportation to combat the pollution crisis. Gadkari also highlighted the importance of creating an “ethanol ecosystem to promote cleaner and greener alternatives. Gadkari noted that India imports fossil fuels worth Rs 22 lakh crore, which is challenging from the point of view of economy, environment and ecology. “We can reduce import of fossil fuels by encouraging alternative fuels,” he said.

Meanwhile, a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) highlighted that Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration soared to an average of 249 micrograms per cubic metre in November 2024, the highest since 2017, despite enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and a decrease in stubble burning incidents.

Delhi’s PM2.5 level in November reached its highest monthly average in eight years despite the implementation of GRAP measures, making it the most polluted city in the world. In November 2016, the average PM2.5 level was recorded at 254 micrograms per cubic metre, the highest November reading, followed by 249 micrograms per cubic metre this year.PM2.5 are fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, about the width of a human hair.

These are so small that they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region, implements anti-pollution measures under the GRAP.

In November 2016, the average PM2.5 level was recorded at 254 micrograms per cubic metre, the highest for the month, followed by 249 micrograms per cubic metre in 2024. In comparison, the average was 241 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, 181 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022, 238 micrograms per cubic metre in 2021, 214 micrograms per cubic metre in 2020, 204 micrograms per cubic metre in 2019, 200 micrograms per cubic metre in 2018, and 248 micrograms per cubic metre in 2017, the data said.

These fine particles pose significant health risks as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The report highlights a concerning trend, with 159 out of 268 cities across India exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM2.5 levels in November. The NAAQS limit for PM2.5 is set at 60 µg/m³.

Manoj Kumar, an analyst at CREA, said, “After 2017, this November saw a continuous eight-day stretch in the Severe category (PM2.5 >250 µg/m³) from November 13 to November 20. This was due to the delayed implementation of stricter GRAP stages (3 and 4), despite IITM predicting a Severe AQI category on November 13.”

Stubble burning contributed an average of 19 per cent to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels in November, with the remaining pollution originating from year-round sources.  This underscores the need for a long-term, airshed-based strategy to address emissions from perennial sources, rather than relying solely on short-term GRAP measures.

The report, published by CREA, an independent research organisation, further revealed that Delhi experienced 20 days in the “Very Poor” category (121-250 µg/m³) and 10 days in the “Severe” category (>250 µg/m³) in November. It added, “GRAP’s on-ground impact remained questionable, as transportation contributed over 20 per cent to the city’s PM2.5 levels, mirroring pre-GRAP periods.”

Meanwhile, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Noida, and other cities in the Delhi NCR region also struggled with severe pollution, with 28 NCR cities surpassing the NAAQS threshold. Delhi residents received a respite from toxic pollution levels for the third consecutive day as the city’s AQI remained in the very “poor” category on Tuesday, recording a reading of 268. In eight locations across the city, the AQI value stayed between 300 and over 400 -- 305 in Bawana, 307 in Jahangirpuri, 325 in Mundka, 304 in Nehru Nagar, 303 in RK Puram, 302 in Rohini, 342 in Shadipur, and 306 in Siri Fort. In the Delhi NCR area, Faridabad stayed at 255 points, Gurugram at 222, Ghaziabad at 181, Greater Noida at 195, and Noida at 162.