As established in part 1 of this series, New Delhi is currently fighting a deadly air pollution epidemic. According to a new study, this poisonous capital city smog leads to more deaths than diabetes and hypertension put together. This desperate state of affairs attests to the continuing struggle for clean air within New Delhi. It has since then managed to reclaim its title as India’s most polluted city. The plight of the community has garnered national media attention. This comes on the heels of a report, released December 3, 2025, that lays out the damaging impacts of air pollution on public health.
When a quality smog blanketed the city on November 25, that triggered public outcry and concern. The air pollution there is considered a public health emergency in the neighborhood. In reality, not a single one of India’s 749 districts adheres to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) PM2.5 guidelines. That means that air quality levels are still consistently reaching short-term and chronic health-damaging levels throughout the country.
Toxic pollutants smother New Delhi, which makes this image a familiar one. It was this grim reality that photographer Kiran Sharma was able to document with a shot of one affected cyclist battling the smog on that fateful November morning. The photograph is a compelling visual representation of the dangerous, daily hurdles that residents of color, especially black men and women navigate every day living in the city.
Experts have argued that the ongoing crisis in air quality has disastrous consequences for public health. The findings suggest that air quality issues are responsible for a greater number of deaths than diabetes and hypertension combined. This new disclosure highlights the need for strong actions to reduce air pollution and shield residents from its dangers.
The report released on December 3 stresses that more urgent action is required to reduce air pollution in New Delhi. In short, the severity of the crisis we face requires nothing less. We have to have more stringent emissions regulations, more urban green spaces, and effective public awareness campaigns that inform the public on the risks of air pollution.