But its air turns especially toxic in winter due to various factors, including burning of crop remains by farmers, low wind speeds and bursting of firecrackers during festivals.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the second phase of a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented to combat the effect of increased pollution.
The burning of crop stubble, which is also a major source of pollution, hasn’t picked up speed yet in the regions near Delhi but it is expected to intensify in the coming days.
Farmers in neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh burn crop remains to clear their fields for the next sowing cycle.
Northwest winds coming from these states will also pick up speed gradually, carrying smoke from stubble burning into Delhi, according to air quality forecast agency SAFAR.
Last week, India’s financial capital Mumbai witnessed a drop in air quality, overtaking Delhi several times this month.
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