A recent survey conducted by community platform LocalCircles reveals a concerning trend in Delhi-NCR, with 40% of families reporting that at least one member has sought medical care for pollution-related ailments within the last three weeks. This spike in health issues comes as air quality in the capital region remains in the ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 349 on Monday morning, with even more severe readings in Bawana and Jahangirpuri, where AQI levels exceeded 400.
The survey, which gathered over 21,000 responses from Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad, underscores the widespread impact of high air pollution. Approximately half of the respondents reported purchasing medicines or medical devices to manage pollution-related symptoms, including cough syrups (33%), paracetamol (20%) and respiratory aids like inhalers and nebulizers (13%).
The Supreme Court of India reaffirmed that “The right to live in a pollution-free environment is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. We hold that, prima facie, no religion supports any activity that causes pollution or compromises public health.”
In a bid to tackle the worsening pollution, the Delhi government has intensified its measures, including the launch of the ‘EV as a Service’ initiative, promoting electric vehicles as an eco-friendly alternative. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar participated in this event, signaling the importance of adopting sustainable practices to mitigate air pollution.
With Delhi’s minimum temperature recorded at 17.6°C and humidity at 96%, conditions remain favorable for prolonged smog presence, further exacerbating respiratory and other pollution-related issues. This trend reinforces the urgent need for stricter enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to protect the health of Delhi-NCR residents.
