Union Minister Nitin Gadkari shared his hesitation to visit Delhi because of the city's extreme pollution, which affects his health. He criticized the air quality, saying it makes him feel sick and forces him to practice yoga before his trips. Gadkari also spoke out about the need for alternative energy sources to reduce India's dependence on fossil fuels, tackling both environmental and economic issues.
A court commissioner overseeing anti-pollution efforts in Delhi-NCR has claimed he was threatened while taking photos of illegal construction at the home of a senior BHEL official. The commissioner flagged several violations, including stubble burning, waste burning, construction activities, and dust emissions. Other commissioners also pointed out road traffic and biomass burning as major pollution contributors in the area.
Delhi is India's most polluted city today, with an AQI of 371, categorized as "very poor." Lucknow and Patna follow, with AQIs of 367 and 249, respectively. Aizawl and Bagalkot recorded the lowest pollution levels at 27 and 43 AQI. Cities like Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Jaipur also face poor air quality, while Thiruvananthapuram has satisfactory conditions.