English
English
English
Delhi citizens staged a dramatic clean-air protest at India Gate as AQI soared post-Diwali. Children with nebulisers, masked faces, and tense detentions highlight: is the city’s air crisis finally forcing urgent action?
Dozens held as India Gate sees protest against air pollution
New Delhi: Several people were detained on Sunday afternoon after gathering at India Gate for a “clean air protest,” urging the government to take immediate and accountable measures against Delhi’s pollution crisis. Some participants brought children along, carrying nebulisers and medical prescriptions, to symbolically highlight the health risks posed by toxic air.
Protesters blocked Man Singh Road during the demonstration. Police said the agitators were repeatedly advised to move to Jantar Mantar, the designated site for public protests. When they failed to comply, authorities detained those obstructing traffic and later released them.
In a press statement, the demonstrators called for “urgent, accountable and transparent action” from both Delhi and central governments. They urged the creation of an independent air regulator, real-time transparency of air quality data, clear health advisories during pollution spikes, and public accountability for funds spent to combat pollution.
Delhi-NCR Weather Today: From Noida to Gurgaon, how cold will it get this week? IMD forecast here
The protesters emphasized that clean air is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, asserting that short-term measures alone cannot safeguard public health. Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari, part of the protest, highlighted the irony that some police personnel empathized with the protesters while noting the concerning number of people attending without masks.
Delhi woke up to dense smog on Monday, with temperatures dropping to 11.6°C and air quality remaining in the “very poor” category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 6:05am was 346.
Pollution levels were particularly alarming at certain monitoring stations: Bawana recorded an AQI of 412, Wazirpur 397, Jahangirpuri 394, and Nehru Nagar 386. The city has experienced deteriorating air quality for four consecutive days, approaching the “severe” category.
Sunday’s citywide AQI readings averaged 370, marking the second-highest level this season after October 30, when it touched 373. While the morning air remained heavily polluted, wind activity later in the day brought slight improvement. AQI readings on Sunday were 391 at 8am and 389 at 11am, improving marginally by the official 24-hour average recorded at 4pm.
The contribution of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels has remained relatively low, falling from 8% on Saturday to around 5% on Sunday, according to data from CPCB. Experts point to local vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and stagnant weather conditions as the major drivers of the pollution surge in the capital.
Delhi AQI nears ‘severe’ category; Highest pollution level of season, no GRAP restrictions yet?
The worsening air quality poses serious health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Activists have urged citizens to take precautions, including wearing masks outdoors and avoiding physical activity during high pollution hours, while pressing authorities for long-term solutions.
Citizens staged a clean air protest at India Gate; several detained
AQI remained “very poor” at 346, with some areas crossing 400
Calls for independent air regulator, real-time data, and transparent action
Pollution has worsened post-Diwali despite low stubble-burning contribution
