2025: Delhi Chokes, Cities Flood, Exposing India's Urban Planning Failures

• In 2025, Delhi faced severe air pollution and repeated monsoon flooding, highlighting major urban planning failures.
• Delhi's AQI frequently hit 'very poor'/'severe' levels, with December 2025 being the dirtiest since 2018; GRAP curbs offered only brief relief.
• Monsoon flooding in Delhi was caused by weak drainage, clogged systems, outdated infrastructure, and construction over natural channels.
• Other major cities like Mumbai, Gurugram, and Bengaluru also experienced similar flooding issues due to unplanned development and neglected natural water bodies.
• The crises reveal a systemic failure of cities expanding without environmental consideration, demanding structural solutions and long-term climate-ready planning.

Why It Matters: 2025 exposed India's urban planning crisis, with Delhi's pollution and floods signaling a dire need for structural reforms.