‘Leave Delhi, go in debt if you have to’: London-based Indian techie cuts short visit over toxic air, urges exodus; netizens react

NEW DELHI: A London-based Indian techie has ignited a fierce debate online after urging people to “leave Delhi, even if you have to go into debt”, describing the capital’s worsening air pollution as nothing short of a health emergency.

Kunal Kushwaha, a senior developer advocate at CAST AI and founder of WeMakeDevs community, shared his stark experience on X after landing in Delhi for a short trip. Having lived in London for a few years, he said the contrast in air quality hit him badly as he could 'literally taste and smell the pollution.'


Kushwaha admitted he had grown up in Delhi and never truly felt how bad the air was while living there. “You see people walking without masks, going for morning runs... I thought, how bad can it really be?” he wrote.

He said the moment he stepped out of the airport, even an AQI of around 200 hit him hard: 'Sore throat, and a feeling like needles in my lungs. I could actually feel the pollution entering my body.' he posted adding that he was cutting his trip short and flying out the next day.



Debate erupts on social media
His post quickly went viral, drawing over 10 lakh views, along with thousands of likes, reposts, and heated arguments.

Many agreed with his warning, calling Delhi’s toxic air a silent, slow-moving public health disaster. But others argued that “leaving” was a privilege.

One user wrote: “‘Leave Delhi’ is great advice for the tiny percent who can. The rest of us need the air fixed, not a relocation plan.”

Another commented: “It’s extremely worrying to see what’s happening in Delhi. But millions can’t just relocate. By all means protect your health—but the solution has to be systemic.”

A third user slammed authorities for inaction: “True—and companies, schools and other non-important institutions are still open like it’s nothing. It’s clearly a health emergency, but the government isn’t doing what it can. Not even WFH is mandatory.”

Delhi’s air quality near ‘severe’

Meanwhile, the capital’s air quality deteriorated further on Sunday, touching 391—dangerously close to the ‘severe’ category.

A combination of low wind speeds and falling temperatures trapped pollutants close to the surface, choking the city under a thick layer of haze.

Despite repeated warnings from environmental experts and public health researchers, the capital continues to struggle with the annual winter pollution cycle driven by vehicle emissions, construction dust, thermal power output, waste burning and stubble smoke from neighbouring states.


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