Delhi-NCR chokes as air pollution woes return

Delhi's sky line is seen enveloped in smog and dust in New Delhi, India. Authorities in New Delhi launched an anti-pollution campaign in an attempt to curb air pollution levels ahead of winter, when the capital is regularly covered in toxic haze, and warned that filthy air could make the coronavirus pandemic more dangerous. 

Morning haze envelops the skyline on the outskirts of New Delhi. The national capital, one of the world’s most polluted cities, enjoyed a respite from air pollution up until September due to a strict virus lockdown. But now with the onset of winter leading to the dying down of winds and industrial activities resuming and cars back on the roads, the air quality in the city has once again fallen to poor levels. 

A farmer burns paddy stubble in a field, in Amritsar district. Farmers continue the practice, a contributor to air pollution in winter season, despite several steps taken by the government.

A boy is seen wearing a mask to get protection from air-pollution in New Delhi.

Volunteers wear pollution masks as they stand at a busy crossing with the banner saying obey odd and even, remove pollution, in New Delhi.

A view of Lodhi road shrouded in smog in New Delhi.

A layer of smoky haze lingered over Delhi-NCR with air quality in the region hitting 'very poor' levels, even as stricter anti-air pollution measures, including a ban on electricity generators, came into force under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Members of Democratic Youth Federation of India (Delhi) and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan(Delhi) wearing masks display placards during a protest march demanding implementation of measures to reduce air pollution the capital, in New Delhi.

A farmer burns wheat stubble in a field following the harvest season, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, on the outskirts of Amritsar.

A view of the India Gate shrouded in haze in New Delhi.

Since October 1, Delhi's average AQI was more than 36% higher than the figures for the same period a year ago.

A metro train can be seen through a haze in New Delhi.