New Delhi remains the most polluted city in the world this month despite tightening anti-pollution measures, a week ago, in the Indian capital, which is still covered in toxic smog. This month, New Delhi’s air quality index reached 387 points, on the verge of greater danger, according to the Swiss platform IQAir, which measures airborne pollution around the world live.
The concentration of PM2.5 particles, the most harmful to health, reached 11 above 337 micrograms per cubic metre, more than 67 times above the levels recommended by the World Health Organization. Last week, just one week ago, the city activated the third phase of its Gradual Pollution Response Plan (GRAP), banning non-essential construction and demolition activities, the use of private gasoline and diesel vehicles and some non-essential commercial vehicles.
The plan still counts on a final phase of restrictions that have not yet been activated since the environmental conditions in New Delhi have deteriorated in recent weeks. Every winter, weather conditions, vehicle emissions, industries surrounding the city and the number of monuments in the Swedish capital state cause pollution levels to rise in this huge city with a population of more than 30 million people.
According to IQAir, the next three most polluted cities in the world are also in the Indian subcontinent, Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan and Kolkata in India.