New Delhi — 

Prashant Kalra moved to the coastal city of Goa on the western side of India five years ago due to the polluted air in the capital city and nearby towns causing health issues for his three-year-old daughter.

“Our daughter could not breathe in Delhi-NCR,” said Kalra, who lived in Gurugram, a city adjacent to New Delhi. “She needed a nebulizer every night just to go to sleep. That convinced us that we did not have a choice.”

The NCR, also known as the National Capital region, encompasses a large urban area that includes the Indian capital and its surrounding regions.

Kalra is among a small but growing number of people quitting the city to escape the health hazards of the deadly air pollution that envelops it every winter. A nearly two-decade long battle by authorities in Delhi has failed to clean up the toxic smog, which is a mix of construction dust, vehicular emissions and burning of crop residue in neighboring agrarian states.

A large number of individuals, referred to as “pollution migrants,” are making their way to Goa, a beloved vacation spot known for its vast beaches and abundant palm trees. Goa has become a popular destination for those escaping the polluted air of Delhi.

Similar to Kalra, numerous individuals relocated due to their children experiencing health issues. For Salil Pawah and his spouse, the catalyst was their daughter’s ongoing cough.

Pawah, a business owner who had resided in Delhi, stated that his wife was prescribed a nebulizer and inhaler during their stay in the city. However, when they went on a brief vacation, her cough disappeared. This made Pawah realize that the air quality in Delhi was the cause and they made the decision to relocate.

Delhi is regularly ranked as one of the world’s most polluted cities, with its annual smog blamed for thousands of premature deaths each year.

Last August, the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago stated that due to air pollution, the typical urban inhabitant may have a lifespan shortened by approximately 12 years.

Doctors in New Delhi report a yearly increase of patients with respiratory issues or potentially more severe conditions during the winter season. This trend continued this winter as well.

According to Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee of New Delhi’s Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, the prevalent illnesses during this time were asthma, bronchitis, and infections. There were also cases of strokes and cardiovascular diseases, which are known to worsen due to pollution.

The harmful component found in the air of Delhi is known as PM 2.5, which is made up of tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. According to Chatterjee, the most affected by this smog are children and older individuals.

On days with high levels of pollution, officials mandate the closure of schools and urge individuals to remain indoors. The air quality index in the city frequently exceeds 400, indicating dangerous conditions.

Moving away from a familiar city is a difficult transition. Although Goa’s beautiful natural surroundings and relaxed atmosphere attract tourists, adapting to life in the city posed its own difficulties.

Kalra, who refers to himself as a “pollution refugee” on his Instagram account, stated that leaving his friends behind was challenging. However, he was fortunate that his father and elder sister also relocated with him. Naturally, there were social and cultural adjustments that had to be made.

Kalra, a former lawyer, recognized an opportunity in the constant influx of people seeking to escape the grey skies of Delhi. He established a brokerage firm to assist individuals in finding new residences in Goa and successfully sold four properties in the early stages.

“He expressed that the experience gave us the necessary assurance to transition and begin developing our social media presence and focusing on the growth of our business. Now, after five years, we are content with where we stand,” he shared. The family has also adjusted well to living in Goa, enjoying the natural surroundings and indulging in a traditional fish curry on the beach on Sundays. Overall, they are pleased with their current lifestyle here.

The amount of people traveling from Delhi to Goa has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as remote work policies allowed employees to work from various places.

“When I relocated to Goa, I didn’t have any acquaintances. However, within two years, I have made connections with approximately 20 individuals who also moved here for similar reasons,” stated Pawah. “The pandemic has shown us that the city itself is not as crucial as the work we engage in. Presently, there is a noticeable increase in professionals residing here, including lawyers, engineers, and doctors.”

Relocating from Delhi is a decision that is limited to a select few. A large portion of the population, approximately 30 million people, residing in the city and surrounding areas are employed in street-based occupations such as auto rickshaw driving, street vending, and construction work, putting them at high risk of harmful air pollution. Medical professionals warn that the polluted air poses a significant threat to public health.

According to Chatterjee, pollution is a significant concern for public health. Additionally, the length of time that pollution persists has increased, and long-term exposure to high levels of pollutants can have negative impacts on overall health for everyone.

Cleaning up India’s mega cities will be one of the country’s biggest challenges as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is widely expected to win a third term in office in elections early this year, sets an ambitious goal of catapulting India into the ranks of developed nations by 2047.

Source: voanews.com