A London-based Indian technology professional's urgent advice for Delhi residents to abandon the national capital due to its toxic air pollution has ignited a fierce online debate about health priorities versus practical realities.
The shocking Delhi experience
Kunal Kushwaha, who grew up in Delhi but now lives in London, recently visited his hometown only to cut his trip short after experiencing severe physical reactions to the polluted air. In a viral social media post dated November 22, 2025, he described immediately tasting and smelling pollution upon arrival, followed by a sore throat and a sensation like "needles in my lungs."
The air quality readings from that Sunday showed dramatic discrepancies between different monitoring systems. While the private website AQI.in recorded a hazardous reading of 559, the government's Air Quality Early Warning and Decision Support System reported a significantly lower but still "very poor" reading of 380.
'Leave Delhi, go in debt if you have to'
Kushwaha's most controversial recommendation came in his stark advice to residents: "Leave Delhi, go in debt if you have to." He emphasized that after years of breathing cleaner air in London, he finally understood the severity of Delhi's pollution crisis that he had previously underestimated.
"I used to think, how bad can the AQI really be for people in Delhi? I knew it was bad, but I never understood the scale because I didn't feel it as drastically," he wrote. "But I was wrong. It's a crisis. And honestly, leaving this city should be your top priority."
The tech professional also cautioned against real estate investments in polluted metros like Delhi and Mumbai, urging people to "pack your bags and move yourself and your work somewhere else."
Social media backlash and practical concerns
The viral post triggered immediate pushback from many social media users who found the advice impractical for most residents. One user pointed out that "Leave Delhi' is great advice for the tiny percent who can. The rest of us need the air fixed, not a relocation plan."
Another comment highlighted the economic realities: "Leaving isn't an option for 99% of us. Most of us are stuck here because jobs, family everything is tied to this city."
Many users suggested more practical approaches, including wearing masks, using air purifiers, minimizing outdoor exposure during peak pollution, and demanding greater accountability from authorities responsible for addressing the pollution crisis.
The debate continues as Delhi's air quality remains a pressing health concern, with Kushwaha's experience echoing similar reports from other visitors and residents struggling with the capital's pollution levels.
