Delhi-NCR has once again woken up with a foggy morning, where the effect of hazy layer and smoke can be clearly seen all around. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained in the ‘very poor’ category for several consecutive days, increasing concern and resentment among citizens. The issue has also sparked debate on social media, especially after former IAS officer LV Nilesh shared his reaction comparing the toxic air of Delhi with the clean air of his current home in the US.
Former executive LV Nilesh, who these days runs a tech platform called CloudGenius.app, shared a picture on social media site X. In the picture, on one side the smog covered North Block of Delhi was visible, while on the other side the clear and clean air of America’s Mount Rainier National Park was visible. He wrote in the caption, “If I had not left India, I would have had to breathe this dirty air called North Block Secretariat,” a comment that has caused a deep reaction among the people.
According to available information, Delhi’s average AQI was recorded at 324 at 6:05 am on Monday, which falls in the “very poor” category. On Sunday this figure had reached 366. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, air quality reached the ‘severe’ category at three monitoring stations, with the AQI recorded above 400. Let us tell you that every year a rapid increase in pollution levels is seen in the winter season in Delhi.
After Nilesh’s post on social media, many users have expressed concern about the increasing levels of pollution. One user wrote that “This is becoming a serious health crisis for Delhiites and is also shameful for the country’s image.” However, some people raised questions on Nilesh’s decision to leave the country and said, “The country enabled you, then what is the use of calling it bad?” It is worth noting that Delhi’s air quality is discussed every year, but there is still a lack of steps to solve it on a large scale.