Archive · 20 Dec 2025
Delhi's Severe Air Pollution Crisis
Delhi's air is very bad right now.
The air quality index (AQI) is in the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories in many places.
The Indian Parliament, called the Lok Sabha, finished its session without talking about this problem.
People are having a hard time breathing, and the government is trying to do something about it.
They are checking petrol pumps to make sure cars have clean air certificates.
But many people are still suffering because of the bad air.
Some people think the rules are good, while others find them inconvenient.
The Congress Party wanted to talk about the bad air in Parliament, but the government did not let them.
The Congress says the government is not doing enough to fix the problem.
Delhi's air quality index (AQI) reached 387, placing it in the 'very poor' category, with some areas like Anand Vihar and Vivek Vihar in the 'severe' category (AQI 437).
The Lok Sabha adjourned sine die without discussing the air pollution issue, despite expectations of a debate.
Republic TV ran a campaign for clean air with the hashtag #NOTAForAQI, demanding an immediate and accountable plan for clean air.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa conducted surprise inspections at petrol pumps to enforce the 'No PUC, No Fuel' directive, aiming to improve air quality.
Over 61,000 Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCCs) were issued in nearly one day, indicating an increase in compliance with air quality regulations.
- Who
- Residents of Delhi-NCR, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, petrol pump consumers, enforcement teams, Congress Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- Delhi's air quality has deteriorated to 'very poor' and 'severe' levels, with enforcement of 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule to curb pollution; Congress demands debate on air pollution in Parliament
- When
- December 1, 2023 (Winter Session of Parliament concluded), December 17-18, 2023 (enforcement of 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule)
- Where
- Delhi-NCR, India
- Why
- The air quality in Delhi has worsened due to various factors, including vehicular emissions and industrial pollution, leading to a public health concern; Congress seeks accountability and concrete measures from the government
Congress
Government
Debate on Air Pollution
Congress
The Congress was ready to discuss air pollution and demanded a detailed debate on the issue in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, emphasizing accountability and concrete measures.
Government
The government avoided a debate on air pollution, adjourning the Lok Sabha sine die without discussing the issue, despite the severe air quality levels in Delhi.
Government's Approach to Legislative Business
Congress
The Congress criticized the government for rushing through legislative business, referring to it as a 'murder of democracy' and accusing the government of running a 'bulldozer' in Parliament.
Government
The government proceeded with legislative business as planned, passing several bills and adjourning the session without addressing the Opposition's demands for a debate on air pollution.
- AQI in Delhi-NCR
- 387 (very poor) at 8 am, December 1
- AQI in Anand Vihar
- 437 (severe)
- AQI in Vivek Vihar
- 436 (severe)
- AQI in Punjabi Bagh
- 412 (severe)
- AQI in R.K. Puram
- 436 (severe)
- AQI in Nehru Nagar
- 425 (severe)
- AQI in Wazirpur
- 406 (severe)
- AQI in Dilshad Garden
- 356 (poor)
- AQI in Mandir Marg
- 342 (poor)
- AQI in Rohini
- 396 (very poor)
- AQI in North Campus
- 349 (poor)
- PUCCs issued on December 17
- 29,938
- PUCCs issued on December 18 (up to 5:20 pm)
- 31,974
- Total PUCCs issued in nearly one day
- 61,000+
Sources
Delhi Chokes, People Suffocate In Toxic Air: Lok Sabha Adjourned Sine Die Without Pollution Debate
19-Day Parliament Winter Session Ends - Where’s the Delhi-NCR Pollution Debate?
'No PUC, no fuel': Queues thin out at fuel stations
Rajya Sabha logs 121% productivity in Winter Session, Lok Sabha at 111%
As Delhi Chokes, MPs Scrap Air Crisis Debate Over Bad 'Atmosphere': Sources
Delhi records worst since 2018, December average climbs to 343
‘No PUC, No Fuel’ drive: On Day 1, about 2,800 vehicles denied fuel in Delhi
Congress on Winter session: ‘PM Modi’s strategy was to insult the 3 people who built modern India’
Winter Session ‘Highly Productive’, Claims Rajya Sabha Chairman
IMD issues Orange alert as dense fog worsens Delhi air, AQI likely to turn ‘severe’ over weekend
Delhi Government To Install Air Purifiers In 10,000 Classrooms As Pollution Soars
Parliament passes G RAM G Bill
Delhi air crisis: Govt says opposition ruckus blocked Lok Sabha debate on pollution
