The fifth biggest killer in the country continues to be at large and we don’t seem to be too fazed by it. In 2016, India’s air quality over the Diwali weekend was among the world’s worst. The pollution from firecrackers, coupled with crop burning and already existing factors like dust from construction, vehicles and factories accentuated the problem tenfold.

With the winter months coming in and Diwali being around the corner, we’re likely to witness the familiar smog, maybe not as severe as last year, but deadly nonetheless.

Also Read: Look at This and Then Decide If You Still Want to Burst Crackers

The Quint went to the most polluted area of Delhi a few days before Diwali and asked people if they knew about the levels of pollution they were living in. We asked them how it affects them and what solutions they have to this massive problem.

Also Read: #MyRightToBreathe: How Successive Governments Have Failed Us

Are We Doing Enough or Anything At All?

Speaking to The Quint, Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Centre for Science and Environment and the head of their Clean Air Programme said:

Other than the Graded Response Action Plan, which the authorities have to follow once the air quality enters ‘very poor’ levels, not many precautionary measures are undertaken either by the governments or the public. Shutting one power plant in Badarpur for a while won’t be enough.

Reactionary measures can only help so much, but to combat the severe situation that India faces, way more stringent measures need to be taken, says Roychowdhury.

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)