New Delhi: Delhi is once again enveloped in its familiar winter haze, with air quality levels plunging into the “severe” category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s AQI currently stands at 322, while hotspots such as Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and RK Puram have recorded levels above 400, making the air toxic even for healthy individuals.

Amid a rush to buy air purifiers, masks, and indoor plants, one resident has devised a budget-friendly solution. A Reddit user shared a DIY air purifier built for around Rs 1,900 using an exhaust fan, an online-bought HEPA filter, and basic household items like wires, cardboard, a switch, and a glue gun.

The Redditor claimed that the purifier reduced the AQI in a 12x12-foot room from 400 to 50 within 15 minutes—performance comparable to mid-range branded devices. The post quickly went viral, drawing admiration and humorous comments. One user joked about organising a weekend workshop to replicate the design, while others urged the creator to make a tutorial for wider use.

Following this advice, the Redditor uploaded a step-by-step YouTube tutorial, helping city residents tackle pollution on a budget. The viral DIY purifier is a testament to “jugaad” engineering, showing how citizens innovate when clean air is not guaranteed.

Delhi’s worsening air pollution this winter has pushed citizens to seek alternatives to costly purifiers. The viral DIY solution uses accessible materials—an exhaust fan, a HEPA filter, wires, a switch, and cardboard—to achieve remarkable indoor air quality improvement in minutes.

The initiative has resonated with residents struggling amid severe AQI levels, demonstrating how community-driven, low-cost innovations can provide temporary relief. With no immediate policy solutions, Delhiites are turning to creativity to reclaim breathable air, highlighting both the severity of the pollution crisis and the resilience of its citizens.