As Delhi grapples with its notorious winter smog, some families are opting for relocation to safeguard their health, a choice unavailable to many.
Families Seek Refuge from Delhi's Toxic Air: A Growing Trend
Families Seek Refuge from Delhi's Toxic Air: A Growing Trend
Amid worsening air quality, families are fleeing Delhi for cleaner environments
Saurabh Bhasin, a corporate lawyer and long-time resident of Delhi, made a drastic decision after his daughter was diagnosed with asthma. Once enamored with the capital’s vibrant winters, he now sees them as a period of peril due to severe air pollution. The air quality in Delhi, particularly between October and January, consistently plunges to hazardous levels, urging individuals to reconsider their living situations.
In 2015, motivated by concerns for his daughter’s health, Bhasin filed a petition to the Supreme Court, advocating for a ban on the use of firecrackers, a significant contributor to pollution during festive seasons. Although the court mandated regulations, air quality continued to decline. The situation reached a breaking point when his daughter’s asthma diagnosis prompted the family to flee to the coastal haven of Goa.
However, many residents in Delhi lack the financial means to escape, forcing them to endure the toxic air. Bhasin notes, “We’re aware that moving to Goa doesn’t guarantee her asthma won't worsen, but the risk is undeniably lower than if we stayed in Delhi.”
The dire state of air quality in Delhi has serious implications for public health, with studies showing a potential lifespan reduction of nearly a decade due to pollution. Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health issues are particularly vulnerable, prompting health authorities to recommend reduced outdoor activities during severe pollution episodes.
Residents like Rekha Mathur, who temporarily relocates to Dehradun each winter, echo similar sentiments. Despite her desire to escape Delhi’s pollution, her husband remains behind for work commitments, forcing her into a challenging situation as the primary caregiver for their child.
As those who can afford it opt for mobility, the pollution crisis in Delhi continues to spark annual debates without yielding significant change. Efforts by the Supreme Court over four decades have included relocating polluting industries and regulating vehicle emissions. Nevertheless, the smog remains an intertwining backdrop to seasonal life in the capital.
Other former residents, like journalist Om Thanvi, have made permanent moves away from the city, citing relief from health issues tied to pollution. He advises those with the means to consider leaving while the crisis persists.
For countless others, however, such choices remain out of reach. Sarita Devi, who works outside for long hours in the poor air quality of Delhi, expresses her resigned inability to leave due to financial constraints. “I would go back to Patna if I could earn money there, but it doesn’t change the pollution I face,” she comments.
In an age where health concerns are becoming paramount, the fate of many remains as murky as the air quality they endure daily.
In 2015, motivated by concerns for his daughter’s health, Bhasin filed a petition to the Supreme Court, advocating for a ban on the use of firecrackers, a significant contributor to pollution during festive seasons. Although the court mandated regulations, air quality continued to decline. The situation reached a breaking point when his daughter’s asthma diagnosis prompted the family to flee to the coastal haven of Goa.
However, many residents in Delhi lack the financial means to escape, forcing them to endure the toxic air. Bhasin notes, “We’re aware that moving to Goa doesn’t guarantee her asthma won't worsen, but the risk is undeniably lower than if we stayed in Delhi.”
The dire state of air quality in Delhi has serious implications for public health, with studies showing a potential lifespan reduction of nearly a decade due to pollution. Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health issues are particularly vulnerable, prompting health authorities to recommend reduced outdoor activities during severe pollution episodes.
Residents like Rekha Mathur, who temporarily relocates to Dehradun each winter, echo similar sentiments. Despite her desire to escape Delhi’s pollution, her husband remains behind for work commitments, forcing her into a challenging situation as the primary caregiver for their child.
As those who can afford it opt for mobility, the pollution crisis in Delhi continues to spark annual debates without yielding significant change. Efforts by the Supreme Court over four decades have included relocating polluting industries and regulating vehicle emissions. Nevertheless, the smog remains an intertwining backdrop to seasonal life in the capital.
Other former residents, like journalist Om Thanvi, have made permanent moves away from the city, citing relief from health issues tied to pollution. He advises those with the means to consider leaving while the crisis persists.
For countless others, however, such choices remain out of reach. Sarita Devi, who works outside for long hours in the poor air quality of Delhi, expresses her resigned inability to leave due to financial constraints. “I would go back to Patna if I could earn money there, but it doesn’t change the pollution I face,” she comments.
In an age where health concerns are becoming paramount, the fate of many remains as murky as the air quality they endure daily.
