This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
Delhi has been plagued by toxic smog for weeks, with a combination of industrial and traffic pollution, and smoke from crop stubble burning, casting a hazardous pall over the city.
For the second time in 10 days, the levels of 2.5PM particles, which can cause serious health issues, have hit 'emergency' levels, nearly 20 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organisation.
Prince Charles, a vocal advocate for environmental issues, visited the Indian Meteorology Department as part of his two-day visit to India, where he was briefed on the crisis by Sunita Narain, a leading environmental activist.
Narain, who has called for faster moves away from coal and other 'dirty fuels' as energy sources, said in a commentary last week: "Every breath we take is poison."
The Delhi state government has implemented measures to curb pollution, including banning construction and introducing car rationing, but the Supreme Court has criticized the government for making 'little constructive efforts' to address the issue.
The court has ordered a new clampdown on stubble burning on farms in states surrounding the capital, citing the fact that the problem 'affects the vast majority of Indians.'
Research released this year found that the toxic smog across northern India cuts short the lives of around one million people each year.
India has 14 of the world's 15 most polluted cities, according to the WHO.
