'Burden Of Performance On Lungs': Shashi Tharoor As Delhi Chokes Amid Rising Air Pollution

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday took a poetic swipe at Delhi’s deteriorating air quality as the city woke up to a smoggy morning, saying, “As November progresses, the burden of performance on the lungs

will increase!”

With his post, Tharoor shared an image of the air quality index, which showed the AQI at 371, in the “hazardous” category.

जैसे-जैसे नवंबर का महीना चढ़ेगा
फेफड़ों पर परफॉरमेंस का बोझ बढ़ेगा ! pic.twitter.com/628WoJLjC9

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 6, 2025

However, according to news agency PTI, Delhi recorded an AQI of 278, falling in the ‘poor’ category, with officials warning that pollution levels are likely to worsen to the ‘very poor’ range by evening.

According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, the city’s air quality may further decline between November 6 and 8.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin showed that the national capital’s air quality stood in the ‘poor’ range on Thursday morning, while weather conditions, including low wind speeds and mist, are expected to contribute to the haze.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 12.7°C, 2.6 degrees below the season’s average, and the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 29°C.

Humidity was recorded at 75 per cent at 8.30 am.

An AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as ‘poor’, 301 to 400 as ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 as ‘severe’ under CPCB standards.

Meanwhile, the doctors in Delhi have raised an alarm about the rise in illnesses caused by air pollution in the capital.

News agency ANI quoted multiple doctors as saying that many people are currently suffering from various respiratory conditions, including throat irritation, rhinitis, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and severe chest congestion.

Some individuals have also experienced exacerbation of symptoms related to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), and other chronic lung or heart diseases.

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