Delhi, the most polluted city in the world, is the capital city of New Delhi, is half the size of Rhode Island, and is home to twice the population of New York City.

Beijing, China, is known for for its polluted air, but a global study in 2014 by the World Health Organization found that Delhi?s air contained several times more fine particulate pollution than Beijing?s. By most measurements, it?s the most polluted area in the world.

From below photographs, we see the results of intense urbanization, density of cars, and the practice of burning refuse. All these result the thick haze over the city. 

Even the sacred Yamuna River isn?t exempt from severe pollution. The river is second only to the Ganges in religious significance to practicing Hindus, and for 855 miles it flows through India, providing water to 57 million people. Eighty percent of the pollution in the river enters along the 14-mile stretch that goes through Delhi. 

Soil erosion, waste disposal, and chemical runoff leave the waters black in some places and covered with a white film in others.

While Delhi may have waste-treatment plants, it lacks the necessary sewer infrastructure that would carry the waste there. 

On my last visit to Delhi, I noticed that most areas of Delhi lacked dustbins. I also got to know that human scavengers collect wastes from every household early morning and deposit it at the landfill, which is their main source of income.

The scenario of Delhi extremely pathetic and I hope the government does something to rectify the problem soon.

Read more at:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160425-new-delhi-most-polluted-city-matthieu-paley/

 Photographs by Matthieu Paley, National Geographic