Delhi Faces Severe Air Pollution Amid Budget Cuts and Monitoring Discrepancies

Recent measurements near Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 400, classified as 'severe,' while the nearest official station reported a lower AQI of 249, categorized as 'poor.' Government data from 2022 to 2025 shows Delhi residents experienced AQI above 200 nearly half the time, with surrounding NCR cities facing similar pollution levels. Despite worsening air quality, budget allocations for pollution control have decreased, and only a portion of existing funds have been utilized, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current measures.