“Breathing is difficult… feels like a gas chamber”: Yogi Adityanath’s dig at Delhi AQI

Yogi Adityanath

• Yogi Adityanath claims UP has clean air, unlike polluted Delhi
• Delhi's AQI at 211, classified as "poor" by CPCB
• UP plans forestry university, Jatayu Centre for environment boost

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Comparing the air quality of the national capital to a “gas chamber”, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said residents of his state are enjoying a clean environment and are not being “suffocated” despite rapid development work.

The remarks came during the inauguration of a renovated Block Development Officer’s office in Jungle Kauria, according to PTI.

Calling environmental degradation one of the biggest global challenges, Adityanath asserted that pollution directly impacts public health. “The environment here is quite good; there is no pollution. Without pollution, there are fewer diseases. Whenever pollution exists, it harms the lungs. If our supply of oxygen is compromised, the entire body suffers,” he said.

VIDEO | Gorakhpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier today took a dig at Delhi's air quality while praising UP for its clean environment. He said, "You see the condition in Delhi? It feels like a gas chamber. The situation is dire; breathing is difficult, and… pic.twitter.com/bCHYkg0bT8

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 14, 2026

He then turned his attention to Delhi, questioning the quality of life in the city. “You see the condition in Delhi? It feels like a gas chamber. The situation is dire; breathing is difficult, and there's a burning sensation in the eyes. Doctors advise those suffering from asthma, as well as the elderly and children, to stay indoors. What kind of life is this?” he said.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 211 at 9 am on Saturday, placing it in the “poor” category. The CPCB classifies AQI readings of 0–50 as ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’.

Warning that environmental neglect could trigger similar crises elsewhere, the chief minister said Uttar Pradesh was “fortunate” to be pursuing development without choking pollution. He also pitched the proposed forestry and horticulture university in Campierganj as a long-term solution to environmental stress, claiming it would raise forest cover while also boosting farmer incomes and youth employment.

Adityanath further cited the upcoming Jatayu Conservation Centre in Campierganj, linking it to cultural values of gratitude and wildlife preservation, especially amid declining vulture populations due to chemical and pesticide use.

Highlighting post-2017 development in Gorakhpur and surrounding regions, he pointed to the revival of a fertiliser factory, services at AIIMS, improvements at BRD Medical College, the reopening of a sugar mill in Pipraich, a compressed biogas plant in Dhuriyapar and expanding industries in GIDA.

He also referenced his personal outreach during floods in the Jungle Kaudia block, saying the scale of development now is “beyond people’s imagination.”

*With PTI inputs