Core Issue
- Delhi’s air, water, and food pollution is triggering a health crisis—especially allergies—among migrants, students, and lower-income groups.
- The cost of detection and treatment for these pollution-induced illnesses is financially crippling, making survival in the city a dilemma: Live or Leave?
Relevance : GS 2(Governance, Welfare Policies, and Vulnerable Sections)
Health Impact
- Air Quality Index (AQI): Constantly fluctuates between very poor to severe, due to:
- Vehicular emissions
- Construction and industrial activities
- Common health issues reported:
- Skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis
- Eye allergies: up by 35% as per Dr. Titiyal
- Respiratory allergies, sneezing, rashes
- Irritation from water use (washing, bathing) due to phosphates and chemical-laden Yamuna water
Economic Burden
- Allergy detection tests: ₹4,000 to ₹15,000 in private labs
- Government hospitals offer free tests but involve:
- Long queues
- Loss of daily wages for unskilled/semi-skilled workers
- Treatment: No permanent cure; requires long-term medication
- Migrants already spend heavily on:
- Rent, food, transport, books
- Adding health costs worsens financial strain
Student Impact
- Health issues are interrupting education, especially for students from economically weaker backgrounds.
Worker Impact
- Domestic help, informal workers: Miss workdays for hospital visits or fall sick frequently.
- Loss of productivity/income: Trapped between unaffordable private care and overburdened public facilities.
Social Dilemma
- Urban migration driven by hope for:
- Better education
- Livelihood opportunities
- Quality of life
- In reality: Delhi’s pollution imposes a high health and economic cost
- Raises ethical/policy questions:
- Should individuals bear this burden?
- Where does state accountability lie?
Food and Water Contamination
- Packaged food: Contains preservatives and chemicals
- Fruits/vegetables: Treated with harmful food colouring
- Water: Contaminated with phosphates, detergents, chemicals—aggravates skin issues
Broader Implications
- Environmental degradation → Health crisis → Economic loss
- Migrants and poor urban dwellers are disproportionately affected
- Reflects urban governance failure and public health system strain
Key Takeaway
Delhi, while offering better opportunities, imposes an invisible cost—health damage and financial hardship—forcing many to question whether it’s worth staying.
