Delhi Residents Relocate to Avoid Severe Air Pollution

Saurabh Bhasin, a native of Delhi, held affection for his birthplace. During his youth, he anticipated the winter period, which provided a temporary respite from the Indian capital’s prolonged and intense summers. However, over time, his anticipation for winter transformed into apprehension. Between October and January, air pollution levels consistently exceeded hazardous thresholds, resulting in a hazy cityscape and toxic air. Routine actions such as outdoor walks or even playing with his child indoors began to evoke stress and a sense of peril. In 2015, Mr. Bhasin, a corporate lawyer, submitted a petition to the Supreme Court. This petition, filed on behalf of his toddler and the fathers of two six-month-old infants, requested a prohibition on firecrackers, which are primarily ignited during festivals and weddings. His petition stated: “The alarming rate of deterioration of the quality of air in Delhi due to air pollution [is] caused by, but not limited to, traffic congestion, dust from widespread construction, industrial pollution and the seasonal use of firecrackers.” Although the court subsequently issued guidelines to control cracker usage, Delhi’s air quality continued its decline. Mr. Bhasin’s daughter received an asthma diagnosis in November 2022. Earlier this year, he and his family relocated to the coastal state of Goa, situated approximately 2,000km (1,242 miles) distant, where they currently reside. This option is unavailable to millions in Delhi who are unable to abandon their sources of income and must endure the smog. Nevertheless, a limited number of individuals with the financial capacity are opting to relocate, either permanently or for the winter season. Mr. Bhasin is among this group. He stated: “We know that bringing [his daughter] to Goa doesn’t mean her asthma will go away. But we are sure that had we kept her in Delhi, the chances of it getting worse would have been much higher.” His apprehensions are substantiated. In recent years, from October to January, Delhi’s air quality has routinely declined to levels classified by the World Health Organization as hazardous to health. The Indian health ministry’s recommendations indicate that air quality ranging from poor to severe can contribute to increased morbidity and mortality among susceptible populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. The recommendation suggests that people refrain from outdoor physical activities and advises vulnerable individuals to stay indoors and maintain low activity levels when air quality reaches “severe” classifications. Mr. Bhasin views these measures as superficial. He remarked: “You can either invest in a solution now or keep putting a band-aid on it and pay the price for generations.” A study conducted in 2022 by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago determined that air pollution has the potential to reduce the lifespan of Delhi residents by nearly 10 years. Rekha Mathur* is one of the individuals who opt for annual temporary relocation. Each winter, she moves to the periphery of Dehradun, situated close to the Himalayan foothills. Having recently given birth, she now desires to extend her time away from Delhi, a city that contends with poor air quality year-round. However, her husband must remain for work, resulting in Ms. Mathur being the child’s primary caregiver for several months, and their son having only infrequent encounters with his father. She stated: “Our whole life is built around Delhi. I would have never left the city, if not for the worsening air pollution.” Ms. Mathur expressed uncertainty regarding the longevity of this arrangement as her son matures and requires consistent schooling. She is concerned that pollution is no longer confined solely to urban centers such as Delhi but has extended to smaller, picturesque cities like Dehradun. In Delhi, the city she wishes to return to, this crisis has been a subject of ongoing discussion for many years. For the past four decades, India’s Supreme Court has mandated the relocation of industries that cause pollution, the transition of commercial diesel vehicles to more environmentally friendly options, the shutdown of brick kilns, and the expedited construction of bypasses and expressways. This winter, with the re-emergence of smog in Delhi and neighboring areas, authorities implemented measures including the restriction of non-essential construction, the cessation of demolition activities, the closure of polluting industries, and a reduction in the volume of vehicles on roadways. Despite these efforts, air quality has shown minimal improvement. Residents voice frustration that the arrival of winter annually initiates a fervent discussion about air pollution, yet seldom produces tangible outcomes. Om Thanvi, a journalist and writer who resided in Delhi for over 15 years, asserts that while no simple solution exists, the government must address this issue as a public health emergency to discover an effective resolution. Mr. Thanvi relocated to the western state of Rajasthan in 2018 for a teaching position, initially intending to return promptly. However, he now states that he has chosen to reside there permanently. He commented: “I had to use an inhaler in Delhi. But since I have moved here, I don’t even remember where it is.” He recommends that others with the financial capability depart the city until conditions ameliorate. He added: “I miss Delhi’s vibrant cultural scene, but I don’t regret leaving and I don’t plan to return.” Nevertheless, for millions of Indians, this is not a feasible option. Sarita Devi moved to Delhi from Patna city years ago in search of employment. She earns her livelihood by ironing clothes, spending extended periods outdoors with her cart during both winter and summer. Ms. Devi stated: “I can’t go back to Patna because I can’t earn money there. And even if I did go, it wouldn’t change much for me.” She further noted: “I visited for a festival a few days ago and the air there was equally hazy,” underscoring that air quality in numerous north Indian cities is severely compromised. Mr. Bhasin mentioned that their relocation to Goa in June involved a particularly challenging separation from friends and family. However, he is now convinced that the decision was appropriate. He concluded: “We are no longer willing to pay the price with our child’s health.”