Effective Sunday, Nov. 1, as part of Delhi's Winter Action Plan, the measures include:

●        Doubled parking fees and work-from-home orders for government and private offices to cut traffic emissions

●        Entry ban on vehicles that do not meet mandated emission standards

●        Immediate ban on all dust-generating demolition and outdoor construction

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's office said the plan brings stricter controls, stronger enforcement and 24x7 monitoring, urging residents to follow guidelines for cleaner air.

This follows earlier steps in the past month, including a ban on rubbish burning and restrictions on food stalls using coal or firewood.

Despite yearly efforts, Delhi typically suffers severe smog from November to January, when cool air traps pollutants near the ground.

Key sources, per India's environment ministry:

●        Vehicles: 23 percent of winter pollution

●        Biomass burning, including farm stubble in neighbouring states: 20 percent

●        Industry, including coal-fired power plants: ~9 percent
Plus power plants, construction dust, and industrial activity.

PM2.5 — tiny particles that penetrate lungs and blood and can cause cancer — often exceeds 300 micrograms per cubic metre in peak winter, about 20 times the WHO daily limit. Last year it peaked at 846, or 56 times the guideline.

On Sunday, PM2.5 was 201 micrograms per cubic metre, over 13 times the safe limit, likely eased by recent rain.

The health toll is severe: a 2024 study in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated 3.8 million deaths in India from 2009-2019. (Bssnews)