The air quality in Delhi continued to deteriorate, remaining in the “severe plus” category for the second consecutive day on Tuesday morning. With smog engulfing the city, visibility was severely reduced, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached an alarming 488, putting the city’s air quality in the hazardous zone. This prompted a wave of reactions on social media, with some mocking the situation while others expressed genuine concern over the city’s environmental health.
In stark contrast, Bengaluru’s air quality appeared to be much better, with AQI levels ranging between 60-80, categorizing it as “moderate.” An X user humorously suggested relocating to Bengaluru, joking that it might be time to “learn Kannada and permanently settle there” as Delhi’s air quality continued to worsen. Another pointed out the grim reality for residents of Delhi, saying, “Clean air is a fundamental human right, but in Delhi, you have to pay for it with an additional 18% GST.” The sentiment reflects growing frustration with the state of the capital’s air pollution.
The debate over air quality continued to intensify on social media, with some users expressing concerns about the potential for Bengaluru to mirror Delhi’s pollution levels if too many people relocate. X user Astha Kohli voiced this worry, cautioning, “If everyone moves there, Bengaluru might become like Delhi-NCR.” On the other hand, Rohan suggested that moving to a city with cleaner air, like Bengaluru, might not be such a bad idea—though he acknowledged the challenge of learning a new local language.
Meanwhile, in the political sphere, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticized the central government for its failure to address the ongoing air pollution crisis in Delhi. Tharoor called the situation “unconscionable,” highlighting that Delhi remains the most polluted city in the world, making it nearly uninhabitable from November to January and barely liveable throughout the rest of the year. His remarks reflected the growing public outcry over the government’s inaction in the face of worsening air quality.
As of today, Bengaluru’s AQI stands at 159, indicating “moderate” air quality. While this level is still considered acceptable for most people, experts recommend that children and individuals with respiratory conditions limit prolonged outdoor activities. The stark difference between Delhi’s hazardous air and Bengaluru’s relatively cleaner air has fueled discussions on the impact of pollution on quality of life and the urgent need for solutions.