[SafariMan]

Looking at the Google map AQI figures throughout India and

https://youtu.be/VM5qi0aSstQ?si=njcAnTdjk3XpjxTA

It's very concerning.

What next?

[fhdowntheline]

While the interviewee may have been a bit too dramatic, it is indeed true that we have kind of normalized bad air quality. But, we are all to blame for it in many ways. There is no regulation at all on urban construction, villages nearby cities which were hitherto the picture of pristine beauty with verdant fields and forest shrubs have been reduced to concrete, rubble and dust (speaking of western Pune specifically) and monstrous housing structures have shot up everywhere in the name of development.

Environmental norms are being given the go-by for supposedly critical infrastructure, and the burgeoning semi rural/urban middle class is forced to find its weekend/monthly escapes to scenic mountains and coastal spots which have become pollution hotspots themselves.

And they are happily parading these as tourism centers, environmental cost be damned. I am glad that some resistance is underway though. Jharkhand voted for preservation of their core strength- their forests.

I think the Indian populace will have to make a tough choice- wealth and early destruction of natural resources or slow growth but with sustenance.

[GTO]

Could never live in Delhi-NCR with their awful air quality. Every time I go to Delhi (especially in the winter season), I fall sick, my eyes burn and my throat goes bad.

Mumbai is lucky because it doesn't have the stubble-burning problem and is surrounded by water. That being said, AQI in many parts of Mumbai is deteriorating rapidly too. We live right by the sea so are luckier than some internal congested areas, but there is no question that it is declining. Non-stop construction everywhere and vehicular pollution are bad, and the government will never stop new construction as it's a major contributor to the exchequer + political parties.

If Mumbai AQI ever becomes as bad as Delhi-NCR - and I sincerely hope it doesn't because I love the Bombay life - then I'm open to moving to a place closeby to Mumbai. Say, a 2.5 hour fun drive like a bungalow in Pawna, or similar. It's a heck of an exhilarating drive early in the morning. Weekdays there, and weekends in Mumbai for all the fun stuff that this city has to offer (family & friend meets, car culture, business, stuff like the Kala Ghoda Art Festival, retail fun, food scene, nightlife...).

I'm a total Bombay guy so I'm hoping against hope that AQI stays tolerable where I live.

[rohitoasis]

Originally Posted by GTO

Mumbai is lucky because it doesn't have the stubble-burning problem and is surrounded by water. That being said, AQI in many parts of Mumbai is deteriorating rapidly too. We live right by the sea so are luckier than some internal congested areas, I'm a total Bombay guy so I'm hoping against hope that AQI stays tolerable where I live.

If i could persuade you to see Nikhil Kamath podcast, there are few parts which might be an eye opener for you. At. 3.5 hours. It is long, but Bryan does have a way to explain alien concepts very lucidly.

Few points that had me shaken after the podcast were.
- The indoors AQI of the building near the Mumbai coast in a room with 3 air purifiers was 130 ish. While he said that western countries have it near 10. I was not convinced. I am fairly sure in Seoul and Tokyo i have seen close to 60 AQI which is still half of what i have near my office which is 140. (I could blame many things including Metro rail construction)
- Bryan quips that this kind of AQI is equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes a day.
- At this level of AQI. Even industrial air purifiers might not be sufficient to keep the indoor AQI to a decent level.
- While the other panelists did not find any problem. It was a point of discomfort to Bryan. Makes you feel how much we are used to poor AQI and have lost sensitivity to it.

[100Kmphormore]

Not yet visited Delhi, but have visited Bombay, Madras and Hyderabad and find it tolerable, except the inner city limits. But my friend who stays near Vasant Kunj (native of Vizag) does not find it that bad. In Bengaluru however the IT corridors are done in terms of this. Its time vehicle registration and construction activities was monitored and limited and the odd even rule was implemented strictly to avoid a Delhi like situation.

Me living in a relatively interior part am extremely lucky to have extremely less traffic hence much lesser microparticles, but an uptick in construction in the neighbouring roads and Kaveri water pipeline work has me wearing a mask in this, and from Marenahalli upto ITPL/Hebbala. Apart from vehicular emissions, the construction and roadwork has it extremely bad. A sense of unease, irritation in the nose and eyes due to my allergies added to the heat for a while if you traveled on a motorcycle. I ride trails and that natural mud dust does not induce this, in fact its extremely refreshing. Even the tree laden areas near Agara and the forested Defence establishment near Sarjapura Road junction offer no respite.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by GTO

Could never live in Delhi-NCR with their awful air quality.

Originally Posted by rohitoasis

While he said that western countries have it near 10. I was not convinced. I am fairly sure in Seoul and Tokyo i have seen close to 60 AQI which is still half of what i have near my office which is 140.

"As long as we beat Pakistan, doesn't matter if we keep losing the World Cup."

I think this way about Bangalore vis-a-vis Mumbai too. "As long as Bangalore has good air quality..." But the truth is the AQI in most of our cities is terrible for most of the year. One of the biggest contributors to Bangalore traffic and pollution is the IT industry commute. We had a great chance to reduce that drastically, but most companies (and people) opted for a return to office. Always gets me that we made such drastic changes for covid, but when it comes to bad air quality, we went back pretty quickly to 'business as usual'. But makes sense, a slow but sure detrimental effect has a far lesser impact than an immediate threat...even if both will end up killing you!

I guess it's no surprise though, the link between smoking and lung cancer was established in the early 50s. My parents allowed guests to smoke in the house with us kids around right through the 80s and 90s. And as a country, we passed a strict enough law in, 2003?

So it will take a generation or two perhaps for things to start happening, as a start more conversations around the topic will lead to better and localized AQI measurements. But a lot of us and a lot of our children will suffer the effects of poor AQI before that happens.

Originally Posted by GTO

Mumbai is lucky because it doesn't have the stubble-burning problem and is surrounded by water. That being said, AQI in many parts of Mumbai is deteriorating rapidly too.

Usually spend at least a few weeks a year in Mumbai. A couple of winters ago, it was awful. Used to go for a run at Bandstand every morning, couldn't make out the bright yellow of a crane (or some similar hoisting equipment) that was anchored offshore about 200-300 meters, on most days. On one rare clear day, noticed how bright the yellow actually was!

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by am1m

... a slow but sure detrimental effect has a far lesser impact than an immediate threat...even if both will end up killing you!...

It's as amusing as it's absurd.

I remember the world going crazy with 'revenge': revenge travel, revenge shopping, revenge socialising, revenge whatever. All because a pandemic interrupted their lifestyle and 'quality of life' for a handful of months.

Yet, our quality of life and of those still in a cradle or yet to be born is being ruined every day and everyone's just 'Eh, whatever'.

Humanity's refusal to fix anything until it becomes existential, and even then do just enough to kick the can a little further down the road, will be our undoing as a species.

Earth is just waiting us out. And we're so busy making noise we don't hear the tick tock. Maybe that's why people hated the eerie quiet during the pandemic so much?

[madhukarmohan]

I am skeptical about the current government's ability or willingness to address Bengaluru's air pollution unless the AQI exceeds 500. Therefore, I am considering purchasing a couple of Levoit air purifiers (LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies Pets Hair in Bedroom, Covers Up to 1095 ft² by 45W High Torque Motor, 3-in-1 Filter with HEPA Sleep Mode).

I am new to air purifiers and curious if they are truly effective and if there are any potential side effects from prolonged use.

[SafariMan]

Visited various islands of the Andaman and Nicobar territory, returning to the mainland last week. Excellent air quality with an AQI reading of 1 in Elezabeth bay, Northern Andaman. Beat that. Days were warm but comfortable. Nights cool with a constant breeze blowing from the Myanmar side. No haze, smog or poor air quality throughout.

Yes the population is sparse, reserved forests 99% green cover and protectionism, leading to nearly nil industrial activity. The Great Nicobar island ecocide after a million trees were felled recklessly - https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion...island-3347735 Was this really needed?

Bryan's abrupt departure was due to Climate denial(ism) and comes from people who believe that someone else will bear the burden.

Most Indians are not taking this seriously. Are we ready to walk the talk of minimal(ism), doing what's right and not sweeping things under the carpet saying that's someone else's problem.

Let's start finding solutions. Control the controllable.

1. Exhaust gas treatment or nipping them in the bud. Solutions?
2.
3.
4.

Please add.

[SafariMan]

Air pollution in Delhi, India reached record levels of AQI 978 and some areas reaching 1300. Today forgotten.






Feb 07, 2025

[alpha1]

Originally Posted by GTO

Could never live in Delhi-NCR with their awful air quality. Every time I go to Delhi (especially in the winter season), I fall sick, my eyes burn and my throat goes bad.

Mumbai is lucky because it doesn't have the stubble-burning problem and is surrounded by water. That being said, AQI in many parts of Mumbai is deteriorating rapidly too. We live right by the sea so are luckier than some internal congested areas, but there is no question that it is declining. Non-stop construction everywhere and vehicular pollution are bad, and the government will never stop new construction as it's a major contributor to the exchequer + political parties.

If Mumbai AQI ever becomes as bad as Delhi-NCR - and I sincerely hope it doesn't because I love the Bombay life - then I'm open to moving to a place closeby to Mumbai. Say, a 2.5 hour fun drive like a bungalow in Pawna, or similar. It's a heck of an exhilarating drive early in the morning. Weekdays there, and weekends in Mumbai for all the fun stuff that this city has to offer (family & friend meets, car culture, business, stuff like the Kala Ghoda Art Festival, retail fun, food scene, nightlife...).

I'm a total Bombay guy so I'm hoping against hope that AQI stays tolerable where I live.

To be frank, the AQI of Mumbai during winter months is mostly >200.
And in winters, the closer you are to the sea, the worse it is, because the wind aggregately blows from land (cold) to sea (hot) - especially after sunset. Next year you may check the AQI map on the google maps, it will show the same thing. Not now though, Feb onward the land temp increased due to incoming solar radiation and the clear skies (no clouds till monsoon).

Ofcourse all this is not as bad as NCR where the winter AQI is >500.

But I think the point of the thread is to do with the fact that current AQI of Mumbai, as I type this, is ~150 (Quite the same as Delhi). This is indeed very high. High number of chemical pollutants & PM in the air, but we are not that much concerned because there is no longer that dreaded haze of December end.

I wrote in details about this on another thread: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...ml#post5917910 (Bombay High Court: Explore phasing out Petrol & Diesel cars) and it holds true for all Indians in all cities/towns/villages.

We sit up and take notice only when haze hits us, and forget it as soon as it goes away but we are completely indifferent to the invisible pollution that could be more toxic.

[ZenMaster]

Most people don't realise that the AQI reading in Delhi and NCR area never seem to go above the proverbial 500AQI because the AQI meters installed can't read above 500 and can only say >500AQI. But nobody sees the ">" part.

And our people are happy that Islamabad/Pakistanis had it worse that us.

At least their AQI system could measure above 500.

[sto_psy]

It's a sad state of affairs as far as Delhi AQI is concerned. Even in the recent Delhi elections, all politicians were busy giving freebies. 2000/- per month or 2500/- per month or whatever the latest election pitch was.
Not one polititian talked about improving air quality. It just goes to show how important this topic is for our policy makers.
As for me being a Delhi resident and working in the construction industry, I will simply do what i have done with the polluted water that is fed into our homes. Set up a purifier in my home and send my kids to a better life as soon as I can.

[abhisheksahas]

In 2024 my family & I celebrated Diwali in Chennai with my in-laws. On the main celebration day, the AQI hit 400-500 in our area, at that point the home felt much worse, people coughing and red eyed. But the folks at home pretended that all was “normal”.
At that point, my wife, daughter & I packed our luggage’s and went to one of the Marriott hotels nearby. The air quality inside felt almost divine. The rest of the night was a relaxing and peaceful affair. Our decision to leave the family home on Diwali day wasn’t taken kindly, but everybody eventually made peace with it.

But, on Diwali day, I realized that the normalising, and “it’s ok”, attitude of the general public is whats contributing to such unlivable circumstances in the country. This is not something that can be pushed on the government alone. People have to make an effort as well. It is 30-70 (govt-people).

[SS-Traveller]

Air quality in India is not going to improve until our politicians and town planners understand what is to be done.

Delhi goes through a pain called GRAP every winter, with restrictions on a variety of activities by private individuals, but no such restrictions on government activities. GRAP restrictions don't change the air quality for weeks, until the weather and wind speed & direction change. GRAP offers no solution, but is still enforced.

Those who have visited cleaner countries would notice a complete lack of loose soil and litter in all those big cities. Every inch of land is either built on, or covered by grass. No broken roads & footpaths, no uncovered piles of sand, no unsealed road surfaces. Nowhere in major Indian cities can we achieve such a clean environment.

Our ICE cars pollute, so we decide to do away with older cars. The diktat is almost total across Delhi-NCR, but AQI isn't getting any better. But even our newer cars pollute due to poor fuel quality, and that is never an issue.

No point talking about air quality in India, because us commoners can't make a difference. Not in my lifetime. I might as well save my breath and invest in more air purifiers, at home and in my cars, in the faint hope that my lifespan would be extended just a little.

Some will call me a pessimist.