India, Oct. 24 -- As Dilli ki sardi sets in, so does the inevitable smog, an unwelcome but now expected companion of the season. Wrapped in a post-Diwali grey haze, Delhi-NCR's parks and cycling tracks, once buzzing with early risers, now lie deserted.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) has plunged into the 'severe' category, forcing walkers and cyclists to alter routines. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data shows this year's Diwali AQI hit 345, worse than last year's 328 and higher than 2023 (218) and 2022 (312). As a result, some residents have shifted workouts to later in the day, while others have stopped outdoor exercise altogether.

"We used to meet at 6am sharp near the India Gate, but now everything depends on how bad the air is...