Survey finds 3 in 4 Delhi households feeling toxic air impact

ISLAMABAD: In India’s capital region, including Delhi, the air quality has taken a serious hit post-Diwali and with the onset of winter. 

An Indian media outlet, while quoting an online survey by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles, reported Saturday that three out of four households in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) are “already experiencing the ill-effects of toxic air, with common complaints ranging from sore throat and cough to burning eyes, headaches, and disturbed sleep.” 

On Oct. 7, air quality in Delhi reached “hazardous” levels, according to the Swiss air quality technology company IQAir. 

‘Sore throat and burning eyes’ 

"The survey, based on over 44,000 responses from residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, found that 42 per cent of the households reported that one or more members were suffering from sore throat or cough, while 25 per cent said family members had burning eyes, headaches, or difficulty sleeping," according to the media report.

Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles, in a post on X on Monday, while highlighting the poor air quality level in the Indian capital, stated: “This is why 3 in 4 Delhi-NCR households have someone having sore throat, cough, headache, burning eyes.” 

‘Gimmicks won’t change reality’ 

Taparia categorically added: “Politicians can do whatever gimmicks they like, but the reality won’t change, until it actually changes.”

Pollution post Diwali 

According to the Central Pollution Control Board of India, before Diwali on Oct. 17, there was just one city in the “very poor” air quality category and 25 cities in the “poor” air quality category.

But this changed with Diwali. According to statistics shared by the board on the social media platform X, the number of cities in the “very poor” air quality category shot to 14 on Oct. 21, and the number in the “poor” category increased to 79.