Gurugram, Nov. 11 -- For some Gurugram families, winter pollution is no longer something they can manage by keeping windows shut, wearing masks or avoiding outdoor activities. As air quality deteriorates each year, they pack their bags and leave the city for weeks at a time, seeking respite from the toxic air.

Residents, particularly those with children and family members suffering from chronic respiratory ailments, said temporary relocation during the October-February period had become a necessary precaution against recurring illnesses, hospital visits and worsening health conditions. But the decision comes at a cost, disrupting work, schooling and family routines.

Mayank Garg, a Sector 52 resident, said he has been taking his wife and...