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IN PHOTOS: Toxic haze grips Lutyens’ Delhi as AQI hits 301, smog surrounds iconic landmarks

Updated On: 11 February, 2026 08:04 PM IST | Anushree Gaikwad

A thick layer of smog enveloped Rashtrapati Bhavan, Samvidhan Sadan and Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday, as deteriorating air quality pushed pollution levels higher across the national capital. (PICS/PTI)

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The national capital recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 301, categorised as ‘very poor’, which can trigger respiratory illnesses with prolonged exposure. PIC/ PTI

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The national capital recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 301, categorised as ‘very poor’, which can trigger respiratory illnesses with prolonged exposure. PIC/ PTI
The worsening air quality has also sparked a political debate

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The worsening air quality has also sparked a political debate

On Tuesday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) questioned the credibility of Delhi’s pollution data, raising objections to the BJP government’s decision to install six new AQI monitoring stations in green and open areas of the city

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On Tuesday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) questioned the credibility of Delhi’s pollution data, raising objections to the BJP government’s decision to install six new AQI monitoring stations in green and open areas of the city

AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the intent of the BJP government led by Rekha Gupta was not to clean Delhi’s air but to artificially lower AQI readings by shifting monitoring infrastructure to greener zones, thereby creating a false impression of improvement without taking substantive anti-pollution measures

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AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the intent of the BJP government led by Rekha Gupta was not to clean Delhi’s air but to artificially lower AQI readings by shifting monitoring infrastructure to greener zones, thereby creating a false impression of improvement without taking substantive anti-pollution measures

According to AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’

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According to AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’

Areas around India Gate and Kartavya Path recorded AQI readings of 355, while Bawana recorded 313. Akshardham Temple reported an AQI of 325, classified as ‘very poor

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Areas around India Gate and Kartavya Path recorded AQI readings of 355, while Bawana recorded 313. Akshardham Temple reported an AQI of 325, classified as ‘very poor

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