Gurgaon Metro station’s ‘oxygen chamber’ is now Delhiites’ safe haven

As Delhiites’ lungs choke further under the thick cover of smog, a 13,000 sq feet enclosure in Gurgaon has become a safe haven for many residents. The Oxygen Chamber near Huda City Centre metro station has seen a five-time jump in the footfall since Monday when the hazardous blanket of smog completely covered Delhi and the national capital region.

The chamber became functional in September after meticulous work of one month to set up an exclusive area that equips residents to battle pollution, by serving unadulterated oxygen in the menu. Incurring a cost of Rs 4 crore, the O2 chamber was designed by Nurture Greens along with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

According to Annu Grover, founder, Nurturing Greens, the cavity has registered a massive spurt in people walking in to breathe in pure air. “When we started few months ago, we had an average footfall of 50-80 but since Monday when the pollution levels touched alarming proportions, the number has gone five fold. On Wednesday, we had around 400 people blaming their lungs by inhaling oxygen here.” Most of the walk-ins are people in their 30s. 

Grover added that they had expected the smog and had made arrangements, “We knew what November would entail as it’s become an annual affair. So we launched this programme where there are special air purifying plants of more than 12 varieties and mechanical air purifiers. Unfortunately, it is only when the situation turns grave that they realise the significance of pure oxygen.”

Asked as to how much time one needs to spend to ease one’s lungs in the current situation, Grover said, “To combat this smog, one must spend at least 8-10 hours here. This is however, not possible and the maximum time one spends here is about half an hour.” 

He added that he would recommend that Delhiites try and create a similar oxygen haven in their homes “by using plants like Areca palm, peace lily, sansivierra as the air indoors is more hazardous.”

THE O2 CHAMBER

• The oxygen chamber became functional in September after meticulous work of one month to set up an exclusive area that equips residents to battle pollution, by serving unadulterated oxygen in the menu. Incurring a cost of Rs 4 crore, the O2 chamber was designed by Nurture Greens along with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.