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As pollution levels rise across Delhi and the NCR, many residents are struggling to find relief from the thick smog blanketing the city. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) staying in the ‘severe’ range, most people have turned to air purifiers, but their high prices often make them unaffordable for many households. One Delhi resident came up with an innovative and affordable solution. A Reddit user shared how he built a fully working air purifier at home for under Rs 2,000, using a few simple parts and tools. How He Built It Under Rs 2,000 In his post titled “I Built My Personal Air Purifier for 2000 INR,” the man explained how he assembled the setup using an exhaust fan and a HEPA filter. “So I built this air purifier using an exhaust fan and HEPA filter, and it is working great, even better than the Philips one I have,” he wrote. He listed the materials used: a 150mm exhaust fan for Rs 750, a HEPA filter from Amazon costing Rs 1,000, and basic components like a switch, wire, regulator, cardboard, and a glue gun that added up to Rs 150. The user claimed that the purifier brought down the AQI inside a 12×12-foot room from 400 to 50 in just 15 minutes, even at its lowest speed. Reddit Users Applaud The Clever Fix The post, shared on November 7, quickly gained attention and received thousands of upvotes. Many users praised the creator for finding such a cost-effective solution and urged him to make a tutorial video. “Iski ek tutorial video bhi banao,” one person suggested. Another commented, “Air purifiers aren’t exactly rocket science… they’re just a simple IN and OUT air flow through filters.” Others requested him to share product links or conduct a small workshop in Delhi so that more people could make one for themselves. A person wrote, “Bro, organise a workshop on the weekend. I’ll bring all the items and you help me build it.” Delhi’s Ongoing Pollution Battle The idea struck a chord at a time when Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Delhi recorded an average PM2.5 level of 107 micrograms per cubic meter in October 2025, three times higher than in September. The Global Burden of Disease data also found that nearly 15 per cent of all deaths in Delhi in 2023 were linked to air pollution, making it the city’s biggest health threat.
