Govind Tekale
India ranks as the fifth most polluted country globally in 2024, with dangerous air quality levels persisting despite some improvement, according to the latest World Air Quality Report by Swiss firm IQAir. The country’s average PM2.5 concentration stands at 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter – over 10 times higher than what the World Health Organization considers safe.
Delhi: World’s Most Polluted Capital for Seven Years Running
For the seventh consecutive year, New Delhi has retained its unenviable title as the world’s most polluted capital city. With PM2.5 levels of 91.8 µg/m³, Delhi residents breathe air nearly 18 times more polluted than WHO safety guidelines.
“The measures being implemented under clean air action plans to control pollution in Delhi are insufficient,” said Avinash Chanchal from Greenpeace South Asia. “Delhi experiences high levels of pollution nearly throughout the entire year.”
The broader Delhi region fares even worse, with the Union Territory recording 108.3 µg/m³, making it the second most polluted city worldwide in 2024.
Indian Cities Dominate Global Pollution Rankings
The industrial town of Byrnihat in Meghalaya tops India’s pollution list with a staggering 128.2 µg/m³ of PM2.5. Overall, six Indian cities rank among the world’s ten most polluted urban areas.
Other cities in the National Capital Region show similarly dangerous air quality: Faridabad (101.2 µg/m³) ranks sixth globally, while Loni (91.7 µg/m³) takes ninth place. Even cities with improving air quality – Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai – still exceed WHO guidelines by five to seven times.
What’s Causing India’s Air Crisis?
Several factors contribute to the persistent problem:
Traffic congestion and growing vehicle numbers pump exhaust into city air daily. In major urban areas, vehicles have become the leading source of PM2.5 particles.
Seasonal agricultural burning creates thick smog across northern India every winter as farmers in Punjab and Haryana clear fields by burning crop stubble.
Industrial emissions pour from manufacturing zones, particularly in areas like Byrnihat, where authorities recently closed seven industrial units for violating environmental regulations.
Similar Posts:
Construction dust from India’s building boom adds significant particulate matter to urban environments.
Geography and weather patterns in the Indo-Gangetic Plain trap pollutants, especially during winter months when cold air prevents dispersal.
Anumita Roychowdhury from the Centre for Science and Environment explains: “The cities of the NCR and Indo-Gangetic plain face a serious pollution challenge due to high concentration of economic activities, motorisation and population, alongside adverse meteorological conditions.”
The Human Cost
The health consequences are severe. Breathing India’s polluted air reduces average life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years. Between 2009 and 2019, around 1.5 million deaths annually in India were linked to air pollution exposure.
PM2.5 particles pose particular danger because they’re small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Progress and Challenges
India has made some progress. The country’s overall PM2.5 levels dropped by 7% from 2023 to 2024. Additionally, India now operates over 1,000 air quality monitoring stations – more than half of all stations in Central and South Asia.
The National Clean Air Programme aims to cut particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024 compared to 2017 levels, though implementation faces significant hurdles.
“Poor public transportation infrastructure remains a key reason for rising pollution levels,” notes Chanchal from Greenpeace. “Public transport must be a top priority if we are serious about tackling air pollution.”
The Supreme Court has declared clean air a fundamental right and ordered stronger anti-pollution measures, but enforcement remains inconsistent across regions.
The data shows that while modest improvements are occurring, India needs more comprehensive action to bring air quality to acceptable levels for its citizens.
