“Learn Kannada, Settle in Bengaluru”: Man Advises Delhiites Amid Air Pollution Crisis
Polluted Air Linked To Higher Heart Attack Risk: Study Highlights Impact On India
As Delhi battles hazardous smog, a Bengaluru resident suggests relocating for cleaner air.
Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated to alarming levels, with the city enveloped in a thick blanket of smog for weeks. Amid this environmental crisis, a Bengaluru resident took to social media to suggest that Delhiites should “learn Kannada and relocate to Bengaluru” for better air quality.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a dangerous level of 494 on November 18, falling into the “severe plus” category. PM2.5 particles were identified as the primary pollutant. In response, the Delhi government implemented Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) measures and requested the Union government to induce artificial rain to disperse pollutants.
An AQI level above 450 is considered “severe plus,” impacting even healthy individuals and posing a grave risk to those with existing respiratory or heart conditions. The scale categorizes AQI levels as follows:
Good (0-50): No health risk.
Satisfactory (51-100): Minor discomfort for sensitive individuals.
Moderate (101-200): Breathing issues for people with pre-existing conditions.
Poor (201-300): Breathing discomfort for most individuals.
Very Poor (301-400): Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory illnesses.
Severe (401-450): Affects health even with short-term exposure.
In contrast, Bengaluru recorded an AQI of 104 on the same day, falling into the “moderate” category. The Bengaluru resident noted that the city’s AQI typically ranges between 60 and 80, far below Delhi’s hazardous levels. Highlighting this disparity, the resident remarked, “Clean air is a fundamental human right,” while criticizing Delhi’s situation where “you have to pay for clean air too with an additional 18% GST.”
The resident’s comment sparked discussions online, with many debating the feasibility of moving to other cities for better air quality.
The disparity in AQI levels between cities underscores the importance of addressing air pollution on a war footing. While some find humor in suggesting migration, the crisis highlights the need for sustainable measures to combat pollution nationwide.
For Delhiites, however, the message is clear: as the smog lingers, drastic action is required to restore breathable air in the capital.
