New Delhi: Thirteen of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat in Assam recording the highest pollution levels globally, according to the latest World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir. The report, released on Tuesday, also confirmed that Delhi remains the most polluted capital city in the world.
India, which was ranked the third most polluted country in 2023, saw a slight improvement and moved to the fifth position in 2024. However, the air pollution crisis remains severe, with six of the world’s ten most polluted cities located in India.
Air Pollution Levels in India: A Mixed Picture
According to the report, India’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter—a 7% decline from 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. Despite this slight improvement, a significant portion of the country continues to grapple with hazardous air quality levels.
Delhi’s pollution levels remained stubbornly high, recording an annual PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024, only slightly lower than 92.7 micrograms in 2023.
Cities Struggling with Toxic Air
The 13 Indian cities in the world’s 20 most polluted include Byrnihat (Assam), Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad, Loni, New Delhi, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh, and Noida.
The report also found that 35% of Indian cities recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding ten times the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. Such hazardous levels of pollution continue to pose serious health risks to millions across the country.
Health Risks: A Growing Concern
Air pollution remains a silent killer in India, significantly reducing life expectancy. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution cuts life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years.
According to a study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, approximately 1.5 million deaths in India each year between 2009 and 2019 were potentially linked to prolonged exposure to PM2.5 pollution.
What is PM2.5 and Why is it Dangerous?
PM2.5 refers to tiny airborne particles smaller than 2.5 microns that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. These particles originate from sources like vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and biomass or crop waste burning. Exposure to PM2.5 is linked to respiratory diseases, heart problems, strokes, and even cancer.
Need for Urgent Action
Former WHO Chief Scientist and Health Ministry advisor Soumya Swaminathan acknowledged India’s progress in air quality monitoring but stressed the need for stronger action.
“We have the data; now we need action. Some solutions are straightforward, like replacing biomass with LPG for cooking. The government already has a scheme for this, but the poorest families need additional subsidies beyond the first free cylinder. This will improve health and reduce air pollution,” Swaminathan told PTI in an interview.
She also emphasized the importance of stricter policies in urban areas. Expanding public transportation, imposing fines on polluting vehicles, and enforcing emission laws on industries and construction sites could make a significant difference. “A mix of incentives and penalties is necessary,” she added.
Way Forward
India has taken steps to curb air pollution, such as promoting electric vehicles, implementing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and expanding renewable energy use. However, experts argue that enforcement remains weak, and pollution sources—particularly construction dust, industrial emissions, and crop burning—persist.
As India continues its development push, balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability will be crucial. Without immediate and stringent measures, air pollution will remain a persistent threat to public health and economic productivity.
With over a third of Indian cities recording pollution levels far beyond safe limits, the need for robust policies and enforcement is more urgent than ever. The fight against air pollution requires not just governmental intervention but also collective responsibility from industries and citizens alike.
