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, " is an annual tipping point, but elevated particulate levels before the festival this year show that baseline pollution is higher than in previous years."