Marketplace Morning Report Air pollution in Delhi is hitting consumers, businesses
Dec 15, 2025
In this segment, Davina Gupta, a BBC correspondent in Delhi, shares her firsthand experience of the extreme air pollution engulfing the city. She paints a vivid picture of thick smog and the serious health warnings urging residents to stay indoors. Gupta discusses the economic impact, detailing how halted construction and changes to work arrangements could cost businesses up to $95 billion annually. Her insights reveal the stark reality of a city grappling with environmental and economic challenges.
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Standing Inside A Cloud
- Davina Gupta describes breathing
Annual Smog Pattern And Its Drivers
- Seasonal weather traps pollutants in Delhi during November and December, making extreme smog an annual pattern.
- Crop stubble burning in neighboring states significantly worsens the city's air quality during this period.
Economic Cost Of Severe Air Pollution
- The graded response action plan halts construction and pushes employees to hybrid work, reducing productivity across sectors.
- Dalberg estimates air pollution costs Indian businesses about $95 billion annually, roughly 3% of GDP, and Delhi alone loses about 6% of its GDP each year.