While Delhi boasts of one of the best metro systems in the world and decent infrastructure, reckless construction, legalising unauthorised colonies, and the worsening water and air quality dent its image of being a robust cosmopolitan city.
A Central Pollution Control Board official said the AQI entered the "severe plus" or "emergency" category late on Thursday night, the first time since January this year.
The pollution board said that the situation will improve further by Sunday if favourable conditions prevail.
Here's what the national capital needs to do to ensure the residents stop breathing toxic fumes.
Delhi is a year-round health hazard that visitors shun like the plague, says Sunil Sethi.
NHRC issues notices to Centre and governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, saying 'the state cannot leave its citizens to die due to the toxic haze.'
The national capital woke up on Tuesday morning to 'severe' air quality under a blanket of thick haze, as pollution levels breached the permissible standards by multiple times.
The air quality in Delhi is turning worse, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.
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