n January 2024, Delhi’s average air quality index was “ abnormally high ”. Low wind speeds slowed the dispersal of pollutants, leaving the city with its worst January air in five years.

In its office in central Delhi, members of the Commission for Air Quality Management convened for their first meeting of the year. The central government formed the body in 2021, under the aegis of the ministry of environment, to ensure better coordination of air quality management between Delhi and the National Capital Region, as well as adjoining states in matters of air pollution that affected the capital. To this end, it was vested with the power to issue directions to authorities in this region.

The commission reviewed 16 “agenda” items that day: for instance, it received updates from states abou

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