Once again, Delhi-NCR has awakened to a morning shrouded in dense fog, with a visible layer of haze and smoke enveloping the area. The air quality index (AQI) has consistently remained in the 'very poor' category for several days, leading to growing anxiety and frustration among residents. This issue has sparked discussions on social media, particularly after former IAS officer L.V. Nilesh compared the toxic air of Delhi to the clean air of his current residence in the United States.

L.V. Nilesh, who is currently running a tech platform called CloudGenius.app, shared a photo on the social media platform X. The image depicted the fog-covered North Block in Delhi on one side, while the other side showcased the pristine air of Mount Rainier National Park in the U.S. In his caption, he remarked, 'If I hadn't left India, I would have to breathe this filthy air known as the North Block Secretariat.' This comment has elicited strong reactions from the public.

According to recent data, the average AQI in Delhi was recorded at 324 at 6:05 AM on Monday, categorizing it as 'very poor.' On Sunday, the figure had soared to 366. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicated that air quality reached 'severe' levels at three monitoring stations, where AQI readings exceeded 400. It is noteworthy that pollution levels in Delhi typically surge during the winter months each year.

Following Nilesh's post, numerous users on social media expressed their concerns regarding the escalating pollution levels. One user commented, 'This is becoming a serious health crisis for Delhi residents and is also embarrassing for the country's image.' However, some questioned Nilesh's decision to leave the country, stating, 'The country has empowered you, so what's the point of criticizing it?' It is important to note that discussions about Delhi's air quality occur annually, yet significant measures to address the issue remain lacking.