Feb 9, 2026: Rajghat’s AQI tells two stories

For this episode of Aaj Ka AQI, Newslaundry went to Rajghat, where the AQI was pegged at 168, or in the moderate category, as per the nearest air monitoring station.

However, our own air monitor estimated the AQI at no less than 348, or in the ‘very poor’ category. 

The gap between official readings and our on-ground monitor highlights a larger problem: a handful of fixed stations often fail to capture the air people actually breathe at street level. Pollution can vary sharply within short distances, meaning “moderate” on paper may still feel “very poor” in reality. That is why air pollution is never a seasonal issue.

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.