India's Air Pollution Crisis Threatens Health and Economy

Toxic smog in northern India is causing millions of deaths annually and costing the nation billions in economic losses.

New Delhi, one of the world's most polluted cities, experiences toxic smog each winter from vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and crop burning in nearby states.
The air contains PM2.5 levels over 50 times the WHO's recommended limit, posing severe health risks, including cancer, respiratory diseases, and premature deaths.
Economic losses from air pollution in India are estimated at $95 billion annually, or roughly 3% of GDP, with impacts on productivity, work absences, and tourism.
A 2023 World Bank study suggests India's GDP could have been 4.5% higher if pollution had been halved over the last 25 years.
Government interventions, such as school closures and construction bans, have been criticized as insufficient, with experts calling for stronger multi-sectoral action to address the crisis.