‘Hopelessness is a really toxic and dangerous state.’— Cory Booker

Not only Delhi Wallas but the entire nation seems to be fed up of being fed the daily dose of Delhi’s pollution crisis- which is a cyclic disorder. It is a number- that stares at you and even 450 has stopped exciting us.

Day after day, year on year the problem repeats itself. For the whole year it hovers around from poor to severe- Delhiites have now developed lungs of stainless steel. Governments come and go, debates after debates after debates on TV – anchors and participants shouting their lungs out (steel lungs). You know nothing will happen, yet you debate- it is a form of catharsis where you feel good by abusing somebody and everybody.

No solution as people say they do not know the problem

If the doctor cannot diagnose the disease, he cannot start any treatment. In this case the doctor knows the problem but patient does not stop ‘indulging’. A patient with severe acidity, is prescribed antacid and also advised to abstain from alcohol and spicy food. The patient keeps popping antacid tablets but every day has chaat papadi and chola bhatura- ‘kya karen control he nahi hota’.

The problem of pollution and its causes are crystal clear. A report by IIT Delhi; (Centre of Excellence for Research on Clean Air (CERCA), IIT Delhi) says that 53% of the problem is polluting vehicle emission. The contributors to PM2.5 (the most harmful fine particles) vary by season, but a clear picture exists. This was end of 2020 but nothing was really done to stop this – as nothing could be done to plug the source. You keep giving antacid and the patient still eats spicy food- you can’t blame the doctor!

Transportation, vehicles cause 53% of pollution. And then there is a compounding effect of Secondary aerosols which are tiny particles or liquid droplets that are not emitted directly from an exhaust pipe. Instead, they “grow” in the air through chemical reactions between gases already present in the atmosphere.

This is like “atmospheric bakery.” Secondary aerosols are formed when invisible “ingredient” gases react with sunlight and moisture to create new solid or liquid particles. And this accounts for 30% of the problem. Industry and power plants are 10- 15 %. Road and construction dust accounts for 2 to 5 percent only. Therefore 80% is due to vehicles and additional baking effect.

Dilli ‘car bazar’

The Delhi-NCR region has a huge vehicle count, with roughly 3.3 crore registered vehicles – cars, buses, trucks – as of mid-2025. Delhi alone had over 1.2 crore vehicles, including around 35 lakh private cars- one third of the fleet. Can you reduce this number? No way- we are a democracy and not Singapore (Singocracy). ‘Kaar ke dikhao’ . “Hum parliament ke andaar aur bahaar – hai hai en are lagayenge.”

Studies suggest that long-term exposure can reduce a Delhi resident’s lifespan by up to 11.9 years

Systematic migration- take a chill pill

‘It is hardly possible to build anything if frustration, bitterness and a mood of helplessness prevail.’— Lech Walesa

Decongestion is the only answer. Good sense is now prevailing on those who can take a call of abandoning Delhi/NCR.

There is a growing trend of people permanently leaving Delhi due to its toxic air quality. This phenomenon has led to a tribe called ’smog escapees’—residents who feel forced to relocate/escape to protect their long-term health. One study found that nearly 35% of Delhi-NCR residents are considering moving out specifically due to deteriorating air quality. Some more aggressive reports suggest that up to 80% of families have discussed or considered relocation as a serious option.

A November 2025 survey by Smytten PulseAI (they enable businesses to decode evolving consumer behaviour, measure campaign impacts.). Out of 4,000 residents found that 34.6% (roughly 1 in 3) are actively considering moving out of the region due to toxic air.

To add to it there are security issues, attitude problem ‘toon janta hai mera baap kaun hai’ type swag. People carry a baseball bat in the cars for security- road rage. Traffic jams, extreme cold and extreme heat. Demographic dandruff – Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. It is a molten pot.

‘kabhi kabhi dill mein khayal ataa hai….’ AQI- (Aab Quon Intezaar)

A “reverse migration” is occurring among those who have the financial and professional flexibility to leave this toxic region.

Today there is an infra push towards smaller towns. Connectivity- physical and digital are moving at breakneck speed.

For those who can, this a great way to help yourself and help the city. You can sell a property in Gurugram and buy something at a fraction of cost in smaller town with a hefty bank balance too.

The people leaving are typically young professionals with remote-work capabilities, families with young children, and retirees. They are moving to cities with cleaner air like Kochi, Goa, Jamshedpur, and various hill towns and tier two cities. The rise of remote work has made it possible for “white-collar” workers to keep their Delhi-level salaries while living in environmentally safer regions

Those who are stuck

“Isko Dilli-oxygen main daal do- pollution isko jeeney nahi degi aur thodi see oxygen isko marne nahi degi”… mona darling yeh aise he chalta rahega.

The majority of Delhi’s population—daily wage earners, street vendors, and industrial workers—cannot afford to leave. This is their bread and butter. They remain “trapped” in the hazardous environment.

For those who leave, the decision is rarely about lifestyle and almost always about survival and the health of their children and elders.

Personal decision 

It is a decision by the family- of course job hopping takes place. Professionals do relocate if they get a ‘better job’. Money may not be the only consideration- better life, more relaxed life style, better health and work life balance is important too. One has to do a SWOT and take a call- but it is worth considering.

Do not ask what Delhi can do for you, ask what you can do for Delhi.

I am a hardcore Delhiite but took a conscious decision of settling down in Pune and that is the best decision of my life. Smaller towns definitely have a slower pace and a better quality of life. What is the point of struggling in a city where you can neither breathe nor can you travel in comfort. Some have their relatives in Delhi but just count how many times you visited someone or he visited you in last six months. You can count on fingertips.

If you love Delhi so much be an NRD (Non-resident Delhiite)! Come twice a year, poop off your money, meet everyone as if you are coming from abroad- get gifts- diili walas love gifts.

Yes, if your business is such that keeps you anchored- so be it.

“If what you’ve done over the past 5 years hasn’t worked for you, then change what you’re doing or the next 5 years will be the same”

Government can do its bit

Some governments make the city less “comfortable” to encourage a natural exit:

• Congestion Pricing: Charging high fees to drive in the city canter (like in London or Singapore).
• Strict Zoning: Limiting the height of new buildings or increasing “green space” requirements, which naturally caps density.
• Higher Property Taxes: Implementing higher taxes on urban real estate compared to rural holdings.
• You can offer cash to help the move
• Relocation Grants: Countries like Japan have offered families up to 1 million yen per child to move out of Tokyo to rural areas.
• Remote Work Stipends: In the U.S., states like Vermont and cities like Tulsa, Oklahoma, offer grants (often $10,000+) to remote workers who relocate there.
• Property for “Peanuts”: Towns in Italy and Spain famously sell abandoned homes for €1 on the condition that the buyer renovates the property and lives there for a set period.
• Payroll Tax Breaks: Incentivizing companies to hire employees who live in designated “underpopulated” zones.
• Startup Subsidies: Providing grants specifically for entrepreneurs who launch businesses in rural or tier-2 cities.