With the air-quality index already showing high readings in major cities — New Delhi at around 268, Kolkata at 299, Mumbai at 92 and Hyderabad at 109 — the economy is bracing for what analysts call a “pollution drag”. The working class, especially outdoor labourers and manufacturing staff, faces increased risk of asthma, cardiovascular issues and lost work-hours. This rising health burden translates into higher outpatient visits, stretched public hospital resources and higher costs for private healthcare. Government and corporate budgets are being diverted towards mitigation and treatment, while reduced worker productivity acts as a subtle tax on economic output. Unless clean-air interventions accelerate, the seasonal smog may become an economic as well as environmental crisis.