Dec 18, 2025: Construction in the heart of Delhi amid ‘severe’ AQI

For this episode of AQI, Newslaundry stood outside Kartavya Bhavan on Mansingh Road to document the air quality index (AQI) at 8 pm last night. 

The closest DPCC monitoring station at Mandir Marg pegged the AQI at 370, or the ‘very poor’ category. In contrast, our portable air quality monitoring device pegged it at 850-970, well above the ‘severe’ category. Our monitor pegged PM2.5 at 400, and PM10 near 800.   

These findings come a day after Delhi’s environment minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, issued an ‘apology’ to the residents of Delhi for the worsening air quality, adding that “It is impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in 9–10 months.”

Despite the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforcing GRAP-4 restrictions last week – including a ban on all construction and demolition work and a prohibition on refuelling vehicles without valid PUC certificates – Newslaundry found that construction was still underway at this prime location.

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.