Nov 19, 2025: The air outside the environment ministry is more toxic than official numbers show

On Wednesday, Newslaundry visited the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, responsible for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and how our natural resources are utilised. 

Of the two air monitoring stations close to the ministry, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology pegged the Air Quality Index at 247, while the other at Lodhi Road, Indian Meteorological Department, estimated it stood at 354. But both the readings seem to be inaccurate as our air monitoring machine gave the AQI reading in the ‘severe’ category at 431, with PM 2.5 at 291 and PM 10 at 322. 

While the Union Minister of Environment Bhupender Yadav is currently in Brazil for the Conference of Parties (COP30), the Supreme Court has been trying to hold those in power responsible for the recurring crisis. 

Watch.

This show is part of a collaborative campaign to tackle air pollution. Here’s how you can join the Fight To Breathe. Click here to power this campaign.