Chennai, once celebrated for its cleaner environment compared to hotspots such as Delhi, is experiencing worsening air quality. Reports have shown the “less polluted” city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing 160 on most days, while December 2025 is the most polluted month in the last six years. Environmentalists and doctors have said an unprecedented spike in the city’s AQI to “Unhealthy” levels (160+) is a cause for concern.
