Delhi air pollution forces relocation of India vs Sri Lanka ODI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the venue change, explaining that the decision was influenced by the possibility of weather-related disruption and proposed renovation work at the Delhi stadium. The board officially cited "potential weather disruption" when announcing the relocation.

The move comes as New Delhi continues to experience dangerous levels of air pollution, with readings recorded on Friday exceeding 25 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily limit, according to monitoring data.

Conditions typically become more hazardous during winter, when cooler air prevents pollutants from dispersing and keeps them concentrated near ground level.

PM2.5 levels can climb beyond 800 micrograms per cubic metre during these periods, representing more than 50 times the WHO's recommended 24-hour threshold.

The city's pollution crisis has also had a substantial impact on public health. An analysis by Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) estimated that air pollution contributed to 17,188 deaths in Delhi during 2023, accounting for almost 15 percent of all fatalities recorded in the city. The study identified polluted air as Delhi's largest individual risk factor.

Air quality is forecast to deteriorate further on Sunday as residents celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Fireworks traditionally associated with the occasion are expected to release additional pollutants, worsening already hazardous conditions across the capital. 

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