ET Graphics: Why emergency traffic curbs in 2026 failed to clear Delhi's toxic winter air
A CSE analysis finds that Delhi's emergency traffic curbs failed to ease congestion or improve air quality in early winter 2026, while Diwali firecrackers triggered a sharp pollution spike. The report examines the contribution of transport, stubbl...
By ET Bureau | Updated:
Reuters
A vehicle sprays water to curb air pollution as vehicles move along a road shrouded in smog, in New Delhi
The latest analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reveals that early winter air pollution worsened in 2026, while emergency traffic curbs enforced from November 1 — from ban on non-BS-VI vehicles from outside Delhi to 50% work-from-home and a doubling of parking charges — failed to ease weekday congestion even as Diwali firecrackers caused a sharp pollution spike.
Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director, CSE said, "Diwali pollution is an annual tipping point, but elevated particulate levels before the festival this year show that baseline pollution is higher than in previous years."
