Bengaluru Startup Founder Wants To Brainstorm Ideas To Fix Delhi Pollution, Locals Say ‘This Mask Is No Good. Use N95’

Delhi has been facing extremely poor air quality, which has raised serious worries about health and accountability. The city’s winter pollution has become a yearly struggle. Shradha Sharma, founder of

YourStory, recently moved from Bengaluru to Delhi, hoping to reconnect with a city she loves. But the experience has been disappointing. She notices her throat feels scratchy every morning and stepping outside makes her feel unwell. Relying only on air purifiers at home is not enough and she believes citizens are not doing enough to fight this issue.

As a part of India’s startup community, she feels that people with sharp minds can contribute more than just to their businesses, they can help tackle bigger social problems. Shradha is now inviting residents for sessions focused on practical ways to fight air pollution. The goal is to come up with ideas and present them to authorities, and even volunteer if needed, to make a real difference.

Entrepreneur Invites Residents To Brainstorm Solutions

Taking to X, Shradha Sharma wrote, “I have moved my base to New Delhi recently, a city very close to my heart. But I have been feeling really underwhelmed. During my college years at St Stephen’s, winters were beautiful and we used to look forward to foggy days. But it’s not the same anymore. I wake up every morning feeling my throat is scratchy. I feel sick every time I step out and you can’t just stay at home in the air purifier all day. Delhi air is a real problem and I feel we, as citizens, are not doing enough to turn things around. Can we do something?”

“As a member of India’s startup ecosystem, I feel we can do a lot more than just building our ventures. We have the sharpest minds solving some of the most complex problems, day in and day out. Can we take a few hours out and spend time brainstorming solutions for some of the most pressing challenges that we face as a society? For now, if you are someone who lives in Delhi or has loved ones who live here, air pollution has become an existential crisis,” she adds.

Ideas To Be Compiled And Presented To Authorities

The entrepreneur shared several ideas, which include, “1: Let’s get together in Delhi and brainstorm some ideas on what it is that citizens can do to respond to this crisis. Just ideas and brainstorms, no cameras, no audience. 2: We compile ideas and solutions in a document and we present it to the relevant authorities. We also tell them specifically what we can do to help them. 3: And if the authorities want, we volunteer some time and resources that may be needed to fix this challenge.”

I have moved my base to New Delhi recently, a city very close to my heart.
But I have been feeling really underwhelmed.
During my college years at St Stephen's, winters were beautiful and we used to look forward to foggy days. But it's not the same anymore. I wake up every… pic.twitter.com/tBgm93NUo6

— Shradha Sharma (@SharmaShradha) November 28, 2025

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “There is no city close to Heart. I think lungs, pancreas and liver are close to the heart.”

Another shared, “Shifting to Delhi. Bold move. Pollution levels are now officially world-leading. Wishing you enough oxygen, enough courage and an air purifier that doesn’t give up before you do.”

“There is a very clear unwillingness to do anything about air pollution from the authorities. If they had, their efforts would show up, forget about the results. Air pollution is now reduced to an election agenda point to topple a government,” a comment read.

Someone said, “This mask is no good. Use N95.”

An individual stated, “All these exercises will be futile unless the elephant in the room (Parali Burning) is not tackled.”

One suggestion proposes practical ways for Delhi residents and authorities to tackle pollution using simple tools and technology. First, small, low cost air quality sensors can be installed on shops, schools and local streets to give accurate, block by block pollution readings. Second, software can show the cleanest travel routes and provide alerts for people with breathing problems, similar to systems already used in cities like London and Tokyo.

Third, models can predict stubble burning in nearby states a few days in advance so authorities can warn people and deploy pollution control equipment in time. Fourth, neighbourhoods can track emissions, waste burning and generator use with scoreboards or badges to encourage cleaner behaviour. Fifth, schools can teach children safe habits and monitor lung health. Other ideas include apps to report violations, small fogging machines for dusty areas and dashboards showing local pollution sources with actions citizens can take.