Delhi AQI Above 500, But Top Official Breathes Only Purified Air In Car & Office: ‘Second Class Citizen Ban Gaye’

In October, the government ordered installation of air purifiers in offices and departments of the Delhi Secretariat. (Photo Credit: X}

As Delhi reels under catastrophic air quality and worsening pollution levels, a Reddit post has gone viral, revealing that a top government officer keeps air purifiers running in his car and at his desk, even as millions outside struggle to breathe in AQI levels above 500.

The user in his Reddit post wrote that during a work-related meeting last week, an official car arrived to pick them up, which was equipped with a portable air purifier in the back seat. On reaching the director’s office, they noticed another purifier running right beside his desk.

“We aren’t even breathing the same air anymore,” the Redditor captioned the picture.

“Meanwhile, outside the building, the AQI was over 500, as is the case with every other area in Delhi,” the user wrote, adding, “It made me think: the people who have the power to change things aren’t actually living in the same air as the rest of us.”

The Redditor pointed out that while ordinary residents continue to breathe toxic air, with burning throats, constant coughing and irritated eyes, those in influential positions take just clean, purified air.

The user mentioned that decision-makers such as government officials or influential people often live in protected environments. They have air purifiers in their homes, offices, and even cars, so they don’t directly experience how bad the pollution actually is outside.

For these people, the pollution problem isn’t something they physically suffer from. So, it becomes just another topic to discuss in meetings or something to acknowledge politely. “And maybe that’s why urgent action never happens. If the problem isn’t affecting them personally, how real does it feel?” the user added.

Social media reactions

One user wrote, “Rich people casually carry crores worth of bag, watch while common people like us suffer everyday from manager’s pressure, breathing toxic air, begging for sick leaves, some are starving on streets.”

Another commented, “The people who can actually push policy aren’t living the same crisis we are. When the discomfort never touches them, there’s no urgency to fix anything and the rest of us are just expected to adjust forever.”

“This reminds me of windshield bias. When policymakers travel only by cars why would they bother to make Indian roads pedestrian friendly,” wrote the next.

“Why is taxpayers’ money being used to buy air purifiers for government officers?” commented another.

Delhi orders air purifiers for offices

Earlier in October, the government ordered the installation of air purifiers in offices and departments of the Delhi Secretariat. A circular from the Public Works Department states that 15 new purifiers worth Rs 5.5 lakh will be installed in high-footfall areas, including conference and meeting rooms.