Photo by Jyotirmoy Gupta on Unsplash
New Delhi, being the capital of India, holds immense cultural, historical, and political heritage. It embodies Indian cosmopolitanism and its acceptance of the principle of unity in diversity. In fact, there is a reason why every Delhiite loves this city more than any other place in India. They might go to other places at their weekends, but their heart lives in Delhi. In fact, you must have noticed how defensive Delhiites become when someone tries to say something bad about their beloved city. And they are not wrong in this, because this city tends to give off a nostalgic vibe that makes you feel like you were always a part of it.
However, this is no longer exactly
how people from other parts of the country or the world view this city. Just
search 'New Delhi' in any news feeds, and you'll realise how the world
perceives the idea of India's capital. A significant portion of the articles
covering this city (if not every single one) reflect the most pressing issues
the city is facing. Be it air pollution, crime, governance chaos, and
most recently, the security concerns following the Red Fort blast. Above all,
these realities manifest themselves in all sorts of media.
AIR POLLUTION CRISIS: A PUBLIC
HEALTH EMERGENCY
The most severe, immediate and
visible crisis is that of Delhi's catastrophic air quality, which ironically is
so apparent that even the government's innovative idea of sprinkling water near
the AQI data centres or establishing such a data centre in the middle of a
green, small artificial pockets couldn't subdue the seriousness of the issue[1]. The
average AQI for November this year was 348, which peaked above 500 in multiple
hotspots[2] despite
the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV measures being in effect. This
crisis has resulted in 17,200 deaths in 2023 alone, representing 15% of all
fatalities in the city. In fact, with the worst particulate matter
pollution, just breathing in this city makes you a chain-smoker,
consuming 25-30 cigarettes a day, and reducing the life expectancy of Delhi residents
by 7.8 years[3].
The most recent survey reveals that
three out of four households in the Delhi-NCR region are experiencing health
issues directly attributed to air pollution, such as coughing, burning eyes,
headaches, and disturbed sleep[4].
Hospitals have been overwhelmed by patients suffering from respiratory issues,
with doctors advising residents who can afford it to leave the city for six to
eight weeks.
WATER CRISIS: ACUTE SCARCITY AND
POLLUTION
Delhi is facing a water crisis on
dual fronts involving both supply shortages and severe river pollution. The
city's water demand, approximately 1,150 million gallons per day, routinely
outpaces its supply (935 MGD), thereby forcing a heavy reliance on groundwater
and contentious water-sharing agreements with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. It is
estimated that 40% of Delhi’s water supply is lost due to leaks[5]. The
irony is that the city, which experiences numerous protests due to the water
shortage, often floods during every monsoon.
Moreover, the Yamuna's 22-kilometre
stretch through Delhi, which constitutes only 2% of the river's total length,
somehow accounts for 76-80% of its total pollution load. In fact, once the
river exits the city, it becomes effectively dead with the dissolved oxygen at
zero and faecal coliform counts exceeding 1.5 million MPN/100ml. Between March
2023 and February 2025, Delhi faced a sewage treatment gap of 233 million
gallons per day out of an estimated 764 MGD[6].
The froth floating above the Yamuna
at various ghats in Delhi imitates the scenic view similar to that of the
Cloud's End in Mussoorie. This little recreational activity of Delhiites, watching
clouds float below one's feet in the post-apocalyptic-looking environment, has
now been hindered by the government, which has started sprinkling certain
chemicals to inhibit the growth of cloud-like froth. Ironically, it was the
same party currently in power that used to criticise the ruling party as the
opposition till last year for sprinkling defoaming agents in anti-froth drives.
Apparently, the best solution for pollution in Delhi is to either
sprinkle water into the air or chemicals into the river.
WOMEN’S SAFETY: WHEN THE CAPITAL
FAILS ITS WOMEN
The National Annual Report &
Index on Women's Safety (NARI) 2025, released by the National Commission for
Women, reveals deeply troubling findings about women's safety in Delhi. The
capital ranks 28th out of 31 major Indian cities in the women's safety index,
placing among the least safe cities for women alongside Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad,
Kolkata, Srinagar, and Rachi. Thirty per cent of women in Delhi report that
women-friendly infrastructure is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a
national average of 23%. Delhi reported 13,439 cases of crime against
women in 2023, making it the most unsafe megacity for women for the third
consecutive year. Additionally, the crime against children has
increased by an alarming 31% in 2023. Rape cases under the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)
Act have surged by 18%[7].
Sadly, when it comes to the security
and safety of women in India, the situation is pathetic all over India, not
just for Indian women but also for foreigners. The most recent rape cases of
foreigners in Hampi, Karnataka and Goa show the severity of this issue
countrywide. However, when the capital of this country is one of the
worst-performing, what can be expected from other Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities?
BIGGEST IRONY: WE KNOW THE SOLUTION!
The Delhi High Court has recently
expressed concern about the alarming state of affairs regarding the
government's action over river pollution. It has constituted a three-member
committee to expedite the redevelopment plan for industrial areas, ensuring
that only treated water is discharged into the river. The report, which was
intended to be submitted in 2023 by the Delhi State Industrial &
Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd., was delayed until 2025. This
demonstrates the government's and its agencies' commitment and seriousness to
resolving these choking issues[8].
Meanwhile, the government is busy
comparing the decrease in pollution levels between the days before and after
the Diwali festival from the previous year's data and its prowess by reaching
out to the Supreme Court of India to allow the use of green crackers, which
also failed to show any visible change in the quality of air in the post-Diwali
season. Those who have even a slight understanding of how policies are made and
implemented know that sprinkling water and blaming nearby states won't work in
solving such huge issues, which have developed over time due to an unplanned,
unsystematic, and unregulated development model.
The biggest impediment to resolving
such issues is the way the government and its agencies perceive them. For most of the time, the problem
of Delhi has been treated as a region-centric issue, for which only the
government in power is responsible. This creates, or rather gives the
government and parties to shift the blame either to the central government or
to the nearby states. It is essential for both the state and central
governments to recognise that the image of a country's capital plays a crucial
role in shaping global perception and how the world views us. It serves as the
most visible symbol of the nation's political stability, cultural identity, and
economic progress. Most importantly, as the seat of the government and a hub
for international diplomacy, the capital reflects how the country wishes to
present itself to the world at large. Well-planned infrastructure,
efficient public services, and iconic landmarks can project modernity and
development, while disorder, pollution, or poor governance may create negative
impressions that extend far beyond the city itself. Overall, it
reflects the nation's character and its aspiration.
Therefore, instead of treating these
issues as a regional one, which creates an impression of India worldwide, they
must be addressed as a national issue. A comprehensive policy and a timely
implementation plan must be adopted.
[1] Mathew, S., & Jain, D. (2025, October 27).
Sprinklers continue rounds at monitoring stations amid row over air pollution
in Delhi. The Indian Express.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/sprinklers-continue-rounds-at-monitoring-stations-amid-row-over-air-pollution-in-delhi-10328796/
[2] Agarwal, P. (2025, November 17). Delhi
records best November 1–15 air quality in 3 years — still not worth inhaling.
The Times of India.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-records-best-november-115-air-quality-in-3-years-still-not-worth-inhaling/articleshow/125375629.cms
[3] Kumar, A. (2024, November 15). Breathing air
in Delhi is like smoking 25 cigarettes a day: Can it cause cancer? India Today.
https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/breathing-air-in-delhi-is-like-smoking-25-cigarettes-a-day-can-it-cause-cancer-2633924-2024-11-15
[4] Pratap, A. (2025, October 26). Three out of
four households in Delhi-NCR facing health issues because of polluted air,
survey finds. The Wire.
https://thewire.in/environment/three-out-of-four-households-in-delhi-ncr-facing-health-issues-because-of-polluted-ai
[5] Aijaz, R. (2022, November 4). Tracking
water sources for Delhi. Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/tracking-water-sources-for-delhi
[6] Sharma, N. (2025, July 8). Yamuna River
pollution: Problem of governance, not infrastructure. Ideas for India.
https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/environment/yamuna-river-pollution-problem-of-governance-not-infrastructure.html
[7] Sinha, J., & Khatwani, A. (2025,
September 30). Crimes against women fall 5.7%, but still worst in India.
Hindustan Times.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/crimes-against-women-fall-5-7-but-still-worst-in-india-101759174079148.html
[8] Singh, S. (2025, November 20). HC sets up
panel to speed up industrial area redevelopment, curb Yamuna pollution. The
Times of India.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/hc-sets-up-panel-to-speed-up-industrial-area-redevelopment-curb-yamuna-pollution/articleshow/125510510.cms
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