Now, migration from the nation's capital! Toxic air makes 80% of residents sick, a frightening report on pollution in Delhi-NCR.

Breathing air in Delhi-NCR has become a luxury. A recent study by consumer research firm Smytten PulseAI has made it clear that toxic smog is destroying people's health, pockets, and future. This survey, conducted among 4,000 people in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, reveals a frightening reality.

Over 80 percent of people surveyed in Delhi-NCR reported experiencing persistent health problems, including chronic cough, extreme fatigue, and respiratory irritation due to polluted air. The SmyttenPulseAI survey revealed that last year, 68.3 percent of people sought medical help for specific pollution-related ailments. This is a growing healthcare crisis.

The survey claimed that 76.4 percent of people have significantly reduced their outdoor activities, turning their homes into virtual prisons as families huddle inside to escape the toxic smog.

The survey also revealed that 79.8 percent of people are either considering relocating or have already relocated, with 33.6 percent seriously planning to relocate, 31 percent actively considering it, and 15.2 percent already having relocated.

It also stated that 37 percent have already taken concrete steps. They are looking at properties in other cities, inquiring with schools, or deciding to leave their homes. The survey stated that preferred destinations are inherently clean: hilly areas, smaller towns with fewer factories, anywhere outside Delhi-NCR, and places where you don't need to monitor your breathing app.

It further stated that pollution has placed a financial burden on middle-class families, with 85.3 percent reporting increased household expenses due to pollution, while 41.6 percent are facing significant financial difficulties.

Swagat Sarangi, Co-Founder of Smitten Pulse AI, said, "The study shows that chronically poor air quality is changing everyday life. It's impacting health behaviors, spending patterns, and long-term housing decisions. It's no longer just an environmental concern, but a factor impacting lifestyle and quality of life, highlighting the need for consistent, data-driven, and collaborative work."