By Yu Ting-Hsuan | December 22, 2025

Air pollution in India continues to worsen, with the capital city of New Delhi shrouded in thick smog and visibility reduced to near zero. Residents describe the entire city as a “gas chamber,” saying that even wearing a mask offers little relief. On weekends, many people are forced to flee the city, traveling to the Himalayan mountains simply to breathe fresh air.

Air quality in New Delhi has reached dangerous levels, blanketing the city in dense haze and reducing visibility to almost nothing. Local residents describe the capital as a “gas chamber,” reporting discomfort even while wearing masks. Faced with the deteriorating air quality, large numbers of residents choose to leave the city on weekends, heading to the Himalayan region in search of clean air. Although the government has attempted measures such as installing water sprinklers to reduce pollution, the effects have been limited, prompting public protests demanding that authorities take the environmental crisis seriously and implement effective solutions.

Large numbers of tourists from New Delhi have poured into the Himalayan region, with vehicles lining up one after another on mountain roads. Many travelers say the main reason for leaving the city is the extremely high air pollution index, hoping to find fresh air in the mountains. One Indian tourist emphasized that Delhi’s air pollution levels are alarmingly high, and the severity of the situation was a major reason for visiting the mountain region.

In New Delhi’s urban areas, residents must wear masks just to walk on the streets. The entire city is engulfed in thick smog, with visibility close to zero. Even India’s iconic landmark, the Taj Mahal, has been completely obscured by haze. One visitor said the fog was so dense that the Taj Mahal was entirely hidden from view, adding that the cold, foggy conditions made it impossible to appreciate the famous monument.

In response to the severe air pollution, authorities have installed water sprinklers in an attempt to “wash” pollutants from the air. However, these measures have proven largely ineffective. Many residents say their daily lives have been severely affected by breathing difficulties, leading to widespread protests calling for stronger government action. Environmental activist Vimlendu Jha stressed that the government must first acknowledge the reality of the crisis and correctly identify its root causes. Many citizens say they deeply miss the simple ability to breathe normally. Despite ongoing protests, Indian authorities remain largely powerless in addressing the worsening air pollution problem.