India, Jan. 2 -- Residents of Delhi-NCR began the second day of New Year 2026 with air quality in the 'very poor' category, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 311, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) SAMEER app.

Against this backdrop, a key question looms large: will air quality shape home-buying decisions in 2026? Increasingly, the answer appears to be yes. In a region where pollution levels frequently slip into the 'poor' and 'severe' categories, clean air is no longer a secondary consideration. Buyers, particularly families with young children, senior citizens, and health-conscious professionals, are expected to prioritise neighbourhoods and housing projects that can demonstrate measurable improveme...