In response to the alarming air quality levels in Delhi, luxury five-star hotels in the national capital have introduced a unique offering - the provision of clean air to their guests. This innovative response to the deteriorating air quality crisis comes as the city grapples with an Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently remaining in the 'Very Poor' category, with several days classified as 'Severe' and even reaching 'Severe Plus' levels.
The move by these hotels to provide clean air as a service comes in the wake of a social media post by U.S. billionaire Bryan Johnson, who shared a photo of a sign from The Oberoi Hotel showcasing an impressive average air quality measurement of 2.4 in their guestrooms, all thanks to advanced air filtration systems. Notably, Indian engineer Debarghya Das also joined the conversation by highlighting a similar initiative at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, where the AQI in guest rooms was recorded at 58, significantly lower than the city's alarming AQI of 397 on that day.
These discussions have shed light on a concerning reality in Delhi where access to clean air has become a luxury service, primarily accessible to those who can afford it. The persistently high pollution levels in the city have been attributed to various factors, including adverse weather conditions such as low wind speeds and unhelpful wind directions, which have led to the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere. Despite these challenges, there have been recent reports indicating a slight improvement in Delhi's air quality, with the city's AQI dropping to 161, moving into the 'moderate' category and expected to remain so for the next few days.