Why does New Delhi experience severe smog every winter?

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New Delhi Experiences Severe Winter Smog Due to Weather Patterns and Pollution Sources

New Delhi faces severe smog each winter primarily because colder, heavier air traps pollutants. These pollutants originate from a combination of construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke generated by the burning of crop stubble in surrounding agricultural regions. This confluence of factors leads to a significant deterioration in air quality during the colder months.
Weather Conditions Trap Pollutants

During winter, New Delhi's atmospheric conditions change, creating a scenario where airborne pollutants are effectively held close to the ground. The colder air is denser and less prone to rising, which prevents the dispersal of emissions from various sources. This meteorological phenomenon exacerbates the impact of everyday pollution, leading to the thick smog observed.
Multiple Sources Contribute to Air Pollution

The smog is a result of several contributing factors that accumulate during the winter season. These include dust generated from ongoing construction activities in and around the city, exhaust fumes from the vast number of vehicles on the roads, and smoke from agricultural practices, specifically the burning of crop stubble in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. The Central Pollution Control Board recorded air quality index levels between 350 and 400 in several city areas on a Monday, indicating "very poor" air quality.
Government Interventions Aim to Mitigate Dust and Emissions

In response to the persistent pollution, authorities have implemented measures to curb specific sources. The central government has imposed a ban on all private construction within the city and its adjacent areas. Additionally, in an effort to reduce airborne particulate matter, authorities have been seen spraying water in certain neighbourhoods. The government has also announced a future plan to phase out diesel autorickshaws, with only compressed natural gas or electric-powered three-wheeled taxis permitted from 2027.

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Why does New Delhi experience severe smog every winter?

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