• MANISH CHAND RAMOLA

Air pollution in Delhi has emerged as one of the most severe environmental and public health challenges globally. Persistently high concentrations of particulate matter and toxic gases have resulted from a complex interaction of anthropogenic activities such as vehicular emissions, industrial operations, construction dust, crop residue burning, waste burning, and energy generation, compounded by adverse geographical and meteorological conditions. These factors collectively affect millions of residents in the National Capital Region (NCR), leading to serious health, ecological, and economic consequences. In contrast, Beijing—once among the most polluted cities in the world—has demonstrated substantial improvements in air quality through comprehensive regulatory reforms, technological modernization, industrial restructuring, transport electrification, and sustained public participation. This paper systematically examines the causes of air pollution in Delhi and critically evaluates the applicability of the Beijing model to the Indian context. Drawing on scientific literature, government reports, and international case studies, the study argues that Delhi can achieve significant air quality improvements by adapting key elements of the Beijing model through strong institutional coordination, science-based policymaking, regional cooperation, and community engagement. The paper concludes that clean air must be treated as a fundamental public good and an essential component of sustainable urban development

Delhi air pollution, Beijing model, AQI, PM2.5, vehicular emissions, environmental policy, urban governance

"Understanding Delhi’s Air Quality Emergency: Structural Causes and Policy Insights from Beijing", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no.f289-f292, January-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601543.pdf

"Understanding Delhi’s Air Quality Emergency: Structural Causes and Policy Insights from Beijing", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no. ppf289-f292, January-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601543.pdf