March 11, 2026: New AQI station, same old ‘poor’ quality air

For today’s episode of Aaj Ka AQI, we visited Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Last month, Rekha Gupta inaugurated six new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), including one at IGNOU, and we went to test it. 

According to the Delhi government monitor, the AQI was 196 – categorised by the CPCB as ‘moderate’. It recorded PM2.5 levels at 196 and PM10 at 185. Our portable monitor, meanwhile, recorded a significantly higher AQI of 300 (‘poor’), despite showing lower particulate levels with PM2.5 at 121 and PM10 at 151.

The Delhi government has utilised just 43 percent of its air pollution budget, according to a PTI report. Out of the Rs 300 crore allotted, only Rs 129 crore has been spent – and solely on short-term, temporary measures. As the city experienced its highest maximum temperature for the first week of March in 50 years according to The Hindu, the need for long-term climate policy and action has never been more urgent.

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.