Escaping Delhi's toxic air

WorklifeIndia

Air quality continues to be severe in Delhi, the world’s most polluted national capital. The air turns especially toxic in the winter months because of unfavourable weather conditions, and farmers in neighbouring states burning crop stubble add to the problem. It gets particularly bad after Diwali, the festival of lights, when people burst firecrackers, which adds to the toxic haze covering the city.

But other factors also play a key role. Vehicular and industrial emissions and dust make the levels of PM2.5 - tiny particles that can clog people's lungs - far higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) safety guidelines.

To escape the pollution, many people are now choosing to relocate, either permanently or for a few months, even if it means leaving behind family and friends or taking a hit on professional growth.

Should the government take stricter action against pollution? What’s it like to leave behind a well-established life for a place with cleaner air? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss how many are choosing to escape Delhi’s toxic air.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Saurabh Bhasin, advocate; Anu Anand, freelance journalist; Srinivas Ganesh, advertising professional