In Delhi, escalating air pollution is compelling families to flee to other regions for their health and well-being. While some, like Saurabh Bhasin, have relocated to Goa after health crises, many others face the harsh reality of remaining in a city with dangerously polluted air.
Escape from Delhi Smog: Families Search for Clean Air
Escape from Delhi Smog: Families Search for Clean Air
As air quality in Delhi reaches hazardous levels, families like the Bhasins and Mathurs are being forced to abandon their homes in search of a healthier environment.
As Delhi grapples with relentless smog and pollution, a growing number of families are choosing to leave the Indian capital in pursuit of cleaner air. One such family is that of Saurabh Bhasin, who recently moved to Goa after his daughter was diagnosed with asthma—a decision born from the alarming air quality that has plagued the city each winter.
Saurabh, a corporate lawyer, cherished the vibrancy of Delhi, but his childhood love for the winter months has been overshadowed by the city's deteriorating air conditions, particularly between October and January. Concerned about the impact of air pollution on his daughter's health, he took legal action in 2015, advocating for a ban on firecrackers during festive seasons. Despite directives from the Supreme Court, levels of hazardous air quality persisted, prompting him to seek refuge in a less polluted environment.
With the dire air quality reported by the World Health Organization and the Indian health ministry, families with the means to leave are making life-altering decisions. While only a fortunate few can escape, many remain trapped, compelled to endure year after year of toxic air. Mr. Bhasin reflects on the precarious choice of staying in Delhi, stating, “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.”
Others, such as Rekha Mathur, temporarily vacate to less polluted regions each year. Mathur has moved to Dehradun, seeking cleaner air for her newborn, despite her husband remaining behind due to work. She fears for the future as the pollution crisis extends beyond urban centers, impacting even picturesque cities.
The problem is not new—decades of court interventions for pollution control have yielded minimal results. This winter, as Delhi suffocated under another layer of smog, authorities attempted to mitigate the damage through construction restrictions and vehicle bans. Still, residents express their frustration that yearly discussions about air quality seem to result in little progress.
Om Thanvi, a former Delhi resident now settled in Rajasthan, underscores the urgency of treating this environmental crisis as a public health emergency. He recounts his relief upon relocating and recognizes that many are unable to afford such a change—people like Sarita Devi, a worker from Patna who must endure the unhealthy conditions of Delhi due to her economic dependence on the city.
While the Bhasins mourn the loss of their social circle in Delhi, their priority remains clear: “We are no longer willing to pay the price with our child’s health.” In a time when clean air is becoming a luxury, many households are left grappling with the grim reality of air pollution and its effects on their families.
