Rising Pressure on Hospitals
More than 200,000 acute respiratory illness cases hit six state-run hospitals in Delhi between 2022 and 2024. The capital struggled during this period with steadily worsening air pollution. The government told parliament that more than 30,000 people with respiratory problems needed hospital care in these three years.
Toxic Winter Air Persists
Toxic air remains a recurring threat in Delhi and its suburbs, especially in winter months. The Air Quality Index stayed for weeks at more than 20 times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization. The index measures pollutants like PM2.5, which can lodge deep inside lungs.
Many Factors Drive the Crisis
No single cause explains the situation. Experts cite industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, dropping temperatures, low wind speeds and seasonal crop-stubble burning in neighbouring states. Delhi’s six major hospitals logged 67,054 respiratory cases in 2022, 69,293 in 2023 and 68,411 in 2024.
Government Notes Strong Link to Pollution
The government told parliament that rising pollution levels matched rising numbers in emergency rooms. It stressed that the study design did not confirm a direct causal link. Delhi’s average AQI crossed the “severe” mark of 400 many times in the past decade. Such levels can harm healthy people and pose serious risks for those with existing conditions.
Children Face Growing Health Risks
On Wednesday morning, Delhi’s average AQI stood at around 380 according to the government-backed Safar app. A British news outlet reported last week that many hospitals in Delhi and its suburbs now see a surge in sick children. The outlet described a clear rise of breathing difficulties caused by the toxic air.
Courts Push for Urgent Action
The Delhi High Court will hear a petition on Wednesday demanding swift steps to curb hazardous pollution. India’s top court has also raised concerns in recent years about air quality in Delhi and surrounding regions.
