Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Saturday that the national capital’s alarmingly high pollution levels are primarily being driven by PM10 emissions, originating chiefly from localized sources such as construction activity, dusty roads, and persistent traffic congestion. In response, the Delhi government is accelerating its pollution control efforts, having identified 62 specific hotspots where these factors are the main cause of deteriorating air quality.

The Minister acknowledged that the city’s overall cleanliness and infrastructure are major contributors to the problem, stating that Delhi’s sanitation systems and road conditions require “lot of work.” He emphasized that these gaps in local upkeep are significantly fueling the rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The Dominance of PM10 and Local Factors

Sirsa clearly articulated the source of the current crisis: “The major reason for pollution in Delhi is PM10, which is mainly from construction sites, dust on roads and several other factors.”

PM10 refers to Particulate Matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. These particles are typically generated by mechanical processes like the grinding of construction debris, the stirring up of road dust by vehicular movement, and industrial processes. Unlike the finer PM2.5, which is often linked to vehicle exhaust and biomass burning, the prominence of PM10 underscores the immediate need for better civic management and dust control.

The government has identified 62 locations across the city where “traffic or dust are the main causes” of pollution, and focused mitigation work is now underway in these areas.

Winter, Smog, and External Influences

The Environment Minister noted that the onset of winter is exacerbating the situation, as the cold and calm air traps pollutants close to the ground, causing accumulated dust to gradually transform into thick smog. Sirsa described the fight as a complex one, stating, “The battle for a clean Delhi is against 10 major polluting factors.”

While acknowledging the role of seasonal factors, he mentioned that stubble burning also adds to the pollution load, but its impact is expected to decline as the sowing season commences.

Furthermore, Sirsa pointed out that Delhi continues to grapple with emissions from industrial units that were previously relocated to neighboring states, with border areas still being significantly affected. He affirmed that the Delhi government is actively working to coordinate and address this external source of pollution as well.

Air Quality Status: A Week in Review

The Minister’s statement comes shortly after the capital witnessed a critical dip in air quality:

• Severe Breach: On November 11, the capital’s average AQI entered the ‘severe’ category for the first time this season—a level last recorded in December 2024. The ‘severe’ category (AQI 401-500) indicates that the air quality can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with pre-existing diseases.
• Slight Improvement: After remaining in the ‘severe’ zone for three consecutive days, the AQI showed a slight improvement on Friday, falling back to the ‘very poor’ category (AQI 301-400), which still poses a significant risk of respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.

The government’s strategy is now focused on the ground-level implementation of dust mitigation measures and improving municipal services to tackle the localized PM10 sources identified in the new hotspots.