Delhi's Winter Pollution Curbs Are Back. Do They Actually Work?

What happened: Delhi's winter pollution curbs have returned, with the plan's Stage IV restrictions back in effect. Past episodes show the AQI often fell after Stage IV was imposed. Key numbers: On 17 January 2026, the AQI was 400 and dropped to 192 within a week. In November 2023, it fell from 454 to 218 over the same period. Why it matters: The article questions whether the curbs actually work, citing past episodes in which AQI declines followed Stage IV being imposed.

Delhi's winter pollution curbs have returned, with the plan's Stage IV restrictions back in effect. Past episodes show the AQI often fell after Stage IV was imposed.

The article questions whether the curbs actually work, citing past episodes in which AQI declines followed Stage IV being imposed.