As pollution levels in New Delhi reached dangerously high levels over the weekend, residents of the Indian capital sought refuge in the cooler, cleaner air of northern India's hill towns.

On Sunday, December 21, these picturesque destinations, including Shimla and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, saw an influx of tourists fleeing the smog that envelops Delhi during the winter months.

Delhi, notorious for its poor air quality in the colder season, has been struggling with severe pollution as dense, cold air traps emissions from vehicles, construction sites, and crop burning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 377 on Sunday, which is only slightly below the ‘severe’ category. This level of pollution poses significant risks to respiratory health, with the general public urged to avoid outdoor activities.

Manpreet Singh, a tourist who made the journey from Delhi, shared the reasons behind his decision to visit the hill towns. "One of the major reasons behind coming here is Delhi, where AQI levels are very high, and pollution has increased. That's why I thought of visiting [this place]. In contrast to Delhi, pollution levels here are pretty low," Singh said.

Shimla, a popular hill station in Himachal Pradesh, has been experiencing much better air quality, with AQI levels typically ranging from moderate to good. Local environmental scientist Suresh Atri from the Himachal Pradesh Department of Climate Change stated, "Our air quality index (AQI) stays generally in the moderate to good category. It is faring in the range of 32 and 97 micrograms per cubic meter. So, it's very healthy air at the moment in Himachal Pradesh overall. This air promotes good health and there is no need to worry."

Tourists are enjoying the cleaner, fresher air. Abhinav, another tourist, remarked, "[I] can feel the difference in breathing. I can breathe well. Just now, I pulled around my car and told my wife, let's take an office call and then have a fresh breath of air, which perhaps is not possible in Delhi. In Delhi, we use our air purifiers inside our homes…Here, we can feel some fresh air. We can have it."

In an effort to combat the pollution crisis, Delhi authorities implemented strict measures earlier in the week, including a ban on vehicles that do not comply with the latest emission control norms and regulations on attendance in private and government offices. These steps aim to reduce the level of pollution, but the measures have not been enough to bring air quality into the safe zone.

As residents continue to seek cleaner air and better health conditions, the hill towns of Himachal Pradesh have become a sanctuary for those looking to escape Delhi’s environmental crisis. With pollution levels still at alarming heights, the growing trend of tourists seeking refuge in these areas may continue, highlighting the urgent need for long-term solutions to Delhi's pollution problem.

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