Why Delhiites Should Avoid an Early Morning Walk

New Delhi: Even though he is an early riser, 61-year-old Lalit Ahuja goes on his morning walk only after 8:30 in the morning. Going out earlier, before the smog settles, could be injurious to his health, he has been warned by doctors.

With winter setting in, early morning pollution levels will only rise and Mr Ahuja doesn't want to subject his lungs to even more pollution, the resident of Delhi's upscale Greater Kailash area, says.

"Each household has two to four cars primarily because the government can't give good public transport. Secondly it's affecting our health we are senior citizens that's why I'm coming late to walk. It's affecting our health," he said.

Found to be the world's most polluted city by the World Health Organisation, Delhi's air poses a grave threat to its residents and winters will make only make it worse, doctors say.

"The cold air doesn't lift so the pollution sits on us all day, creating many allergic and respiratory disorders," Dr Sunil Sharma, Chief Medical Officer at the state-run Madan Mohan Malviya hospital, said.

Advertisement

An urgent increase public transport, stopping the burning of leaves, reducing construction activity and also fewer cars in each household could start reversing the problem experts say.

"It is a must that the auto industry is regulated by the government," 60-year-old MPS Bindra, a friend of Mr Ahuja, says.

Advertisement

Poonam Narayan, who has also lived in Greater Kailash for 17 years, worries about her son goes who to a school in South Delhi and is class 7.

"I have a young son when I go to drop him I worry about the traffic it's so bad...Another reason why I'm coming late for a walk," she says.