Just to add additional context from the email attendees received last week (I am refraining from passing judgment either way, only to note that the organising team are taking additional precautions):
The venue is easily accessible via three nearby metro stations — Khan Market (Violet Line) and Lok Kalyan Marg or Jor Bagh (Yellow Line). Staying along either of these lines will likely save you a transfer. Given the air quality, we recommend avoiding autos and bikes.
Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Google Maps when choosing your stay; some areas will have better air quality than others.
We will provide N95 anti-pollution masks, but if you have allergies or have high sensitivity to air quality, please do carry your own precautions. Some people feel dryness in the eyes as well, so if this happens to you, having eye drops handy would be good.
If you feel that the pollution may severely affect your health, please let our team know—we can help make arrangements. If it’s still not feasible, it may be best not to attend, as your health comes first.
And on the linked FAQ in that email:
There is quite a high likelihood of severe air pollution in Delhi, especially during winter months (October to February) due to intense smog, dust, vehicle pollution, and cold weather.
At the conference, we’re making arrangements like having air purifiers at the venue to minimise impact on health, but we also encourage you to bring N95 masks if this is something that you’re concerned might affect you, such as if you have pre-existing medical or respiratory conditions. We also suggest taking precautions such as avoiding exercise first thing in the morning and in the evening (when the air quality is at its worst).
For those with serious respiratory conditions, we ask that you consider any health risks before deciding to attend EAGxIndia 2025 in Delhi.
Thanks for sharing, however receiving this note after registration is part of the information asymmetry issue being named. Also several of these proposed mitigations seem technically problematic:
taxis in Delhi generally do not come with air filtration, making the exposure risk difference negligible between taking a bike/auto versus a taxi.
Official health guidelines mandate complete exposure avoidance for vulnerable attendees (respiratory issues), which is contradictory to the encouragement “to bring N95 masks… if you have pre-existing medical or respiratory conditions” on the linked FAQ you have posted.
The offer to “help make arrangements” lacks specificity. What resources might that refer to—Is it access to sealed, filtered recovery space? Or something else?
Do note that, our intention is not to be pedantic, it is merely to restore an appropriate degree of concern and expectation of responsibility that is proportional to the severity of the crisis.
Just to add additional context from the email attendees received last week (I am refraining from passing judgment either way, only to note that the organising team are taking additional precautions):
And on the linked FAQ in that email:
Thanks for sharing, however receiving this note after registration is part of the information asymmetry issue being named. Also several of these proposed mitigations seem technically problematic:
taxis in Delhi generally do not come with air filtration, making the exposure risk difference negligible between taking a bike/auto versus a taxi.
Official health guidelines mandate complete exposure avoidance for vulnerable attendees (respiratory issues), which is contradictory to the encouragement “to bring N95 masks… if you have pre-existing medical or respiratory conditions” on the linked FAQ you have posted.
The offer to “help make arrangements” lacks specificity. What resources might that refer to—Is it access to sealed, filtered recovery space? Or something else?
Do note that, our intention is not to be pedantic, it is merely to restore an appropriate degree of concern and expectation of responsibility that is proportional to the severity of the crisis.