'I could barely see the sun': Foreigner travelling from Agra highlights Delhi’s hazardous air

The visitor’s first-hand account and the corresponding data have reignited concern about recurring smog episodes. (Image: @ANI/X)

A foreign visitor commuting into Delhi from Agra has provided a stark snapshot of the air pollution crisis in the capital region. The travel experience, shared on social media, has reignited online discussion around Delhi-NCR’s smog problem.

Shane, who was visiting India, told news agency ANI of his journey: “It’s pretty bad. I came from Agra by bus and the closer I got to Delhi, the thicker the smog was. You could definitely tell the difference. The closer I got to Delhi, it kept getting worse to the point where I could even barely see the sun anymore.”

His observation came at a moment when recent data confirms markedly poor air quality in the city. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 366 over the weekend — categorised as “very poor”. On Monday, it stood at 316, still in the “very poor” category.

#WATCH | Delhi: Shane, a foreign national visiting India, says, "It's pretty bad. I came from Agra by bus and the closer I got to Delhi, the thicker the smog was. You could definitely tell the difference. The closer I got to Delhi, it kept getting worse to the point where I could… https://t.co/e4D2eDcbyE pic.twitter.com/U9KdEGoXWJ

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2025

On social media, users responded swiftly. One wrote: “It’s a huge shame for all the lawmakers. This problem has persisted for many years, yet no solution has been found. If they don’t care about the people here, at least think about our international image. What kind of image are we projecting to the world about Delhi? All the big leaders, officials, and judges live in Delhi—despite that, why can’t they find a solution? Where exactly is the hurdle?”

Another quipped: “Bro landed in Delhi expecting yoga retreats and found a live demo of ‘lungs before and after industrialisation’.”

A third added simply: “Apocalypse.” While a fourth user noted: “This is the sign of the impact of air pollution, it’s not just the locals that are impacted.”

"Parali burning should be banned and alternatives should be given to farmers. That's the only solution," a user remarked.