If you’re in Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata in July 2025, you might see something special: stars at night, clear skies free from smog. The monsoon rains have washed the air clean, but this respite is fleeting.On July 4, Delhi’s AQI was a satisfactory at 70, and Mumbai’s was at 62—far better than the choking smog of winter. But these clear days are rare and won’t last.
A Silent Killer
These clean air days are exceptions. Dr. Randeep Guleria of AIIMS calls air pollution a “silent killer.”In 2024, Delhi had only 22 days of ‘Good’ air quality, while 147 days were classified as ‘Very Poor’ or ‘Severe.’Mumbai fared slightly better with 48 ‘Good’ days but faced many more days with ‘Moderate’ to ‘Poor’ AQI, driven by construction dust, vehicles, and industry.
The health toll is staggering. Studies estimate 1.6 million premature deaths annually in India due to air pollution. In 2024 alone, over 2 million hospital admissions were linked to pollution-related respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. The poorest suffer most, unable to afford air purifiers or to avoid outdoor exposure during pollution peaks.
Glimmers of Hope
Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta unveiled the Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025 in June, targeting construction dust, banning biomass burning, and trialing cloud seeding to induce rain in early July.Mumbai’s 2023 plan, combined with stricter vehicle emission standards and expanding electric buses, has improved air quality close to pre-pandemic levels.
A Dream That Is Short
Now, the big question is, as monsoon rains fade, will India’s skies stay clear? Success depends on strict enforcement, regional cooperation, and public commitment. Delhi’s cloud seeding and Mumbai’s emission controls are promising but need rigorous follow-through. Citizens must also reduce car use and hold governments accountable.
Without action, the clear skies will vanish by winter’s onset, repeating the cycle of hope and smog. But if India seizes this moment, 2025 could mark a turning point. Will we take that chance, or will clean air remain just a monsoon dream?
