7 in 10 Delhi-NCR residents surveyed have very low or no confidence in the ability of Government agencies and their local administration to timely enforce GRAP; Say authorities don’t care

November 10, 2025, New Delhi: Delhi residents gathered at India Gate in large numbers on Sunday (November 9) to urge better and more effective government action to curb rising air pollution in the national capital. At 7am on Nov 10th, the Air Quality Index (AQI) near India Gate stood at 312, placing the city in the severe or red zone, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed. However, private measuring devices used by citizens in the same location around the same time indicated an AQI reading of 520 showing the rising trust deficit of citizens in the AQI data published by CPCB and used by CAQ, Delhi Government and other NCR administrations for GRAP enforcement.

Air pollution in Delhi has become one of the most critical environmental and public-health challenges in India. Over the last decade, the city has frequently ranked among the most polluted in the world, particularly during the winter months. The problem arises from a combination of geographical, meteorological, and anthropogenic factors that intensify pollution levels and make it difficult to manage air quality effectively. Dense population, rapid urbanization, rising industrial and vehicular activities and massive stubble burning in states like Punjab contribute significantly to the crisis. Smoke from the burning fields travels to Delhi, mixing with existing pollutants and creating extremely hazardous air-quality conditions. Although steps have been taken to curb stubble burning, the problem persists due to lack of alternative options for farmers.

The health impacts of air pollution in Delhi are severe. Rising levels of fine particulate matter contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, asthma, bronchitis, and reduced lung function. Children and elderly individuals are especially vulnerable. Air pollution also causes irritation of the eyes, throat, and skin, and long-term exposure increases the risk of chronic illnesses. Experts emphasise that the hazardous air quality is not just a short-term nuisance, but a profound public-health emergency. The World Health Organization notes that outdoor air pollution leads to diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory infections. Research specific to Delhi indicates that even those without pre-existing respiratory conditions are showing signs of damage. Randeep Guleria, former director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), has been reported as saying that the current pollution levels are affecting “people with no prior breathing issues”. Studies show strong links between ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10) and increased rates of mortality, hospital admissions for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even cardiovascular events. Beyond the lungs, experts now highlight additional harms: elevated prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, anaemia and mental-health issues tied to long-term polluted-air exposure.

The government has been taking several measures over the years to address the high air pollution issue. These include the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), odd-even vehicular schemes, restrictions on construction activities, and bans on firecrackers. Efforts are also being made to increase green cover, promote electric vehicles, and improve public transportation. As these measures are temporary and also not effectively implemented, more and sustained action is required. Long-term improvement requires coordinated action across states, stricter enforcement of pollution-control regulations, adoption of cleaner technologies, and increased public awareness. Without collective and sustained efforts, the air-pollution crisis in Delhi will continue to pose a serious threat to health, environment, and overall quality of life.

As residents of Delhi NCR staged a protest to voice their discontent, LocalCircles has conducted a fresh survey to find out the health impact in the last 4 week, the public sentiment and their confidence in the abilities of those who govern to tackle this issue on a day to day basis like timely enforcement of GRAP, sharing of accurate AQI data, etc. The survey received over 53,000 responses from residents of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. 61% respondents were men while 39% respondents were women.

8 in 10 Delhi-NCR households surveyed confirm one or more individuals struggling due to toxic air in the last 4 weeks; 4 in 10 households had 4 or more individuals sick due to it

As expected, many residents of Delhi NCR are experiencing health issues due to the changing weather and rising air pollution. The survey asked residents on Delhi NCR, “How many members of your household (including kids) in Delhi NCR have struggled with toxic air / pollution in the last 4 weeks?” Out of 18,253 Delhi NCR residents who responded to the question 36% stated “4 or more” individuals in their household have been struggling/ affected by the toxic air/ pollution in the last 4 weeks; 21% of respondents indicated “2-3” members in their household; 21% of respondents indicated "1” individual; 8% of respondents stated that “none of us have had any issues”; and 14% of respondents did not give a clear answer. To sum up, 8 in 10 Delhi-NCR households surveyed confirm one or more individuals struggling due to toxic air in the last 4 weeks; 4 in 10 households had 4 or more individuals sick due to it.

8 in 10 Delhi-NCR residents surveyed say their district/city/state administrations are not concerned that they and their family are breathing such toxic air

LocalCircles survey earlier this month revealed that 5 in 10 Delhi residents give a very low rating to Delhi Government’s handling of pollution situation while 3 in 10 give them a high rating. Similarly, 5 in 10 Delhi residents give a very low rating to Central Government agencies for their role in handling Delhi pollution situation but 3 in 10 gave them a high rating. The survey next asked residents of Delhi NCR, “Do you believe the administration of your district/ city/ state is concerned about the fact that you and your family are breathing such toxic air?” Out of 18,383 who responded to the question 78% stated “no, they aren’t” while 22% of respondents stated “yes, they are” concerned. In essence, 8 in 10 Delhi-NCR residents surveyed say their district/city/state administrations are not concerned that they and their family are breathing such toxic air.

7 in 10 Delhi-NCR residents surveyed say they have no or very low confidence in the ability of Government and their district administration to order and enforce different levels of GRAP restrictions despite highly toxic air

Over the last few weeks several residents have shared their mistrust of the official AQI data released every day by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and what is released by other agencies or what is visible on their own monitors. As the action taken by the government through Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to check rise in air pollution is directly linked to AQI levels, many times it is inadequate. The survey asked residents of Delhi NCR, “How much confidence do you have in the government and local administration’s ability to order and enforce different levels of GRAP restrictions?” The question received 16,625 responses with 66% stating that they have “no or very low confidence, with faulty and understated AQI data GRAP is being artificially delayed”; 18% of respondents stated that they have “high confidence, AQI data is not faulty or understated and GRAP restrictions will be brought in at the right levels” and 16% of respondents did not give a clear answer. To sum up, 7 in 10 Delhi-NCR residents surveyed say they have no or very low confidence in the ability of Government and their district administration to order and enforce different levels of GRAP restrictions despite highly toxic air.

In summary, 8 in 10 Delhi-NCR households surveyed confirm one or more individuals are struggling due to toxic air in the last 4 weeks. In fact, the survey reveals that 4 in 10 households have had 4 or more individuals sick due to high levels of air pollution. The result is, 8 in 10 Delhi-NCR residents surveyed say their district/city/state administrations are not concerned that they and their family are breathing such toxic air. The study has also revealed that 7 in 10 Delhi-NCR residents surveyed have no or very low confidence in the ability of Government and their district administration to order and enforce different levels of GRAP restrictions despite highly toxic air.

As the effect of high levels of air pollution is lingering and can-do damage at multiple levels including working ability of students and youth, this is not an issue where the buck of responsibility can be passed. The simplest action that people of Delhi NCR expect is that the Government data about pollution levels is accurate and GRAP rules are implemented accordingly. With CPCB meters showing AQI levels of 320 and the private meters showing the reading as 520, the enforcement of GRAP 4 which must happen if AQI crosses 450 isn’t happening.

Local administrations of Delhi NCR, the Delhi Government, CPCB and CAQM must collectively ensure that the AQI readings are accurate and reflect reality and that enforcement of GRAP is done on unbiased and actual data.