The alarming air pollution in India’s capital, Delhi, has long been a subject of widespread criticism. Now, former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes has joined the growing list of voices expressing concern. Describing the city’s air quality as “hard to digest,” Rhodes compared it with the cleaner environment of Goa, where he currently resides with his family.
According to a report by the Times of India, Rhodes shared his thoughts on the social media platform X on Monday evening while travelling through Delhi en route to Ranchi. He wrote:
“Had to travel through Delhi this evening on my way to Ranchi. Every time, it’s hard to digest the poor air quality. I’m grateful to be living in a small fishing village in South Goa.”
He accompanied his post with the hashtags #AQI and #WhatToBeDone, drawing attention to the city’s deteriorating air condition.
Delhi’s Air Quality at Dangerous Levels
Delhi remained shrouded in a blanket of smog throughout the day, and by early morning, the city recorded an average temperature of 11.6°C. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that at 6:05 a.m., Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 346, categorised as “very poor.”
The city’s monitoring stations reported worrying figures across several areas:
| Area | AQI Level | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Bawana | 412 | Severe |
| Wazirpur | 397 | Very Poor |
| Jahangirpuri | 394 | Very Poor |
| Nehru Nagar | 386 | Poor |
This marked the fourth consecutive day of worsening air quality. On Monday, the average AQI was 370, the second-highest of the season, following 373 recorded on 30 October. Though air circulation improved slightly by the afternoon, pollution levels remained far above the safe limit.
Government Response and Political Blame
Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that the government had undertaken several measures to combat pollution — including controlling industrial emissions and deploying sprinklers across the city. However, he also blamed previous administrations for years of neglect, saying:
“You cannot fix ten years of negligence in seven months. The former government spent on advertisements, not on curbing pollution. We are working continuously to improve the situation.”
The recurring issue of Delhi’s hazardous air is nothing new, but Rhodes’ comments have once again drawn international attention to the capital’s worsening environmental crisis.
His remarks serve as a reminder that while Delhi continues to grapple with smog and toxic air, residents of Goa — with its cleaner atmosphere and slower pace of life — can truly appreciate the privilege of breathing freely.