‘Shouldn’t Property Prices Be Linked To AQI?…’: Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath Discusses Pollution And Real Estate

‘Shouldn’t Property Prices Be Linked To AQI?…’: Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath Discusses Pollution And Real Estate

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Kamath emphasised the need for a systemic change, proposing that real estate markets could play a pivotal role in improving air quality by adjusting property values based on AQI levels.

“The higher the AQI, the lower the real estate prices should be,” says Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath in a post on X.

Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath has reignited an important conversation about air quality and its direct impact on real estate pricing in India. In a recent post on social media platform X, Kamath questioned whether property prices should be linked to Air Quality Index (AQI), proposing that areas with poor air quality should see a reduction in property values, both in terms of purchase prices and rents.

Kamath’s post follows a personal realisation he had after meeting age-reversal pioneer Bryan Johnson on an episode of his brother Nikhil Kamath’s popular podcast WTF. Kamath said before age-reversal millionaire Bryan Johnson left his brother Nikhil’s WTF podcast.

Kamath shared how, before this meeting, he had believed that only Delhi faced severe air pollution, and only in the winter months. However, his encounter with Johnson helped him debunk that myth.

He wrote on X: “The biggest takeaway for me after meeting @bryan_johnson was debunking the myth I once believed: that only Delhi in India has an air quality problem and that it occurs only in winter.”

This moment of reflection came after the WTF podcast episode, which was recorded in a sea-facing apartment in Bandra, Mumbai. Kamath was shocked to discover that even in this seemingly cleaner, coastal part of the city, the AQI indoors was over 160 — well above the moderate threshold.

“If the AQI was this high in Bandra, imagine the levels in the more crowded parts of the town,” Kamath remarked.

His concerns didn’t stop there. After testing the air quality in his office in J P Nagar, Bengaluru, Kamath was taken aback by an AQI reading of 120+, which falls under the ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ category. He pointed out that ongoing construction and poor road conditions in Bengaluru are likely exacerbating the problem in more congested areas.

Kamath’s post also highlighted the stark contrast in air quality between India and many Western countries. He pointed out that in cities across the US and Europe, AQI readings tend to be below 50, which is considered “good” air quality, compared to India, where readings can exceed 150-200 in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

What has truly struck Kamath, he shared, is how most people in India have become desensitized to poor air quality. “We seem to have gotten used to the fact that air pollution is just a part of life,” he said, adding that clean air should be considered a fundamental right, much like access to clean water.

Kamath emphasised the need for a systemic change, proposing that real estate markets could play a pivotal role in improving air quality by adjusting property values based on AQI levels.

“The higher the AQI, the lower the real estate prices should be,” he suggested, arguing that property owners in high-pollution areas are accepting increased health risks like respiratory issues and even cancer.

The idea of linking property prices to environmental factors is not entirely new, but Kamath’s post highlights the urgent need for local policies to address air quality, especially in rapidly growing urban areas. The proposal also sheds light on the broader public health concerns surrounding long-term exposure to air pollution, which has been linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and increased cancer risks.

Kamath also called on researchers and healthcare institutions to study the effects of air pollution on public health in India. He encouraged collaborations with Zerodha’s Rainmatter organization, which focuses on improving quality of life, to explore innovative ways to address air pollution through data-driven solutions. “Perhaps some large hospital chains would be willing to provide anonymized data sets on health issues for researchers to work on,” he wrote, suggesting that more empirical research could help solidify the connection between air quality and public health.

This discussion reflects a growing awareness around environmental health issues in India. For many, air pollution is no longer seen as an isolated issue but one that affects communities nationwide, from densely populated urban centers to quieter suburban areas.

As cities like Delhi continue to experience hazardous AQI levels, Kamath’s call for policy reform could prompt further discussions on how urban planning, public health, and real estate markets should evolve to prioritize clean air and public wellbeing.

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