Every year, Delhi, the northern states of India and parts of Pakistan struggle with hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speeds, vehicle emissions and stubble burning.
And every year during these months, the government introduces pollution control measures.
However, Delhi’s pollution problem has not gone away.
On Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi declared a “medical emergency” across northern India due to uncontrolled stubble burning across the country, especially in the neighboring states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
She accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of not taking steps to end the practice despite the fact that the problem has increased over the past five years.
The BJP, in turn, blamed Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for its failure to stop the city’s pollution.
Meanwhile, the people of Delhi continue to gasp for air.
“Woke up with an itchy and sore throat.. even two air purifiers keep AQI from breathing indoors. Kids are breathing in a gas chamber,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Another user called for a “peaceful mass protest in the streets.” “The air we breathe is deadly toxic,” he wrote.
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