'Should Delhi Even Stay the Capital?': Shashi Tharoor slams Govt over AQI crisis

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has raised serious concerns about Delhi’s worsening air quality, calling the city “essentially uninhabitable” between November and January. In a post on social media platform X, Tharoor cited Air Quality Index (AQI) data from IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring company, which ranked Delhi as the most polluted city globally after Dhaka. He criticized the government for failing to address the persistent issue.  

‘Delhi is the most polluted City’  

Tharoor highlighted that Delhi’s air quality is four times worse than hazardous levels and nearly five times worse than Dhaka’s. He described the government's inaction on this issue as "unconscionable," adding that citizens have endured the pollution “nightmare” for years. Tharoor also mentioned his efforts to combat air pollution through an Air Quality Round Table, which he initiated in 2015 to involve experts and lawmakers. However, he abandoned the initiative last year, citing a lack of progress and interest.  

Expressing frustration, Tharoor questioned whether Delhi should remain the nation’s capital given its severe air quality challenges. He noted that the city's environment is unlivable during peak pollution months and barely tolerable for the rest of the year.  

Delhi’s air quality has remained at hazardous levels for consecutive days, with many monitoring stations reporting AQI values at the 500-mark. On Tuesday morning, areas such as Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, and Jahangirpuri recorded severe pollution levels. Over the past few days, the city’s AQI was 494 on Monday, 441 on Sunday, and 417 on Saturday.  

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The Delhi government has declared the situation a “medical emergency” and urged schools and colleges to shift to online classes to protect students’ health. Many institutions in Delhi-NCR have already implemented virtual learning.  

Public health crisis  

The dense smog blanketing Delhi has led to widespread health concerns, with experts warning of increased respiratory issues. The government has encouraged residents to use public transport, reduce energy consumption, and support green initiatives to mitigate the crisis. However, the ongoing pollution continues to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the capital’s environmental challenges.