Delhi's Dangerous AQI Crisis: Shashi Tharoor Highlights Six Years of Environmental Neglect

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has reshared a six-year-old post highlighting Delhi's deteriorating air quality, noting that it remains "sadly still relevant" today.

Back in 2019, Tharoor had posted an image with the caption: "Kab tak zindagi kaatoge cigarette, beedi, aur cigar mein… kuch din toh guzaro Delhi-NCR mein." (How long will you continue smoking cigarettes, bidis, and cigars? Spend a few days in Delhi-NCR instead.)

In his recent repost of the same image, Tharoor commented, "Six years of indifference later, this post remains sadly, frustratingly relevant still."

Earlier this week, the Congress leader also shared a chart displaying Delhi's AQI levels in the hazardous zone, writing: "Jaise jaise November ka mahina chadega, fefdo pe performance ka bojh badhega" (As November progresses, the burden on lung performance will increase).

Delhi-NCR is currently experiencing severe air pollution with a thick blanket of smog enveloping the region. As of Saturday morning at 7 am, Delhi's AQI reached 653, placing it in the "hazardous" category.

Neighboring cities are also suffering from dangerous pollution levels. Noida recorded an AQI of 503, while Gurgaon reported 515, both categorized as "severe."

The worsening air quality has led to a significant increase in hospital admissions for respiratory issues. Medical professionals report that cases of bronchitis, asthma, and sinus infections have increased by 22-25 percent.

On Saturday, Delhi resident Karan Sharma told ANI that the extreme pollution was causing breathing difficulties and called for immediate government action, saying: "The pollution is very high. We face difficulties in breathing. No action is being taken by the concerned departments. The government should pay attention to the issue."