Politics heats up over Delhi’s toxic air; data on pollution—from firecrackers to vehicles—reveals the truth

Politics heats up over Delhi’s toxic air; data on pollution—from firecrackers to vehicles—reveals the truth

Desk: Poison permeates the air in Delhi, making it difficult to breathe. But who is responsible for this pollution—firecrackers, stubble burning, or the vehicles plying the roads? Data from the IITM regarding Delhi’s toxic air in the aftermath of Diwali has come as a shock. According to the report, firecrackers accounted for over 71% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on the day after Diwali, while vehicles contributed approximately 7%. Yet, that is not the whole story—as another report identifies vehicular emissions as the primary source of local pollution in Delhi. So, who—or what—is the real culprit behind Delhi’s toxic air?