A new report has once again highlighted the severe air pollution levels in India, with 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities located in the country.
The report, released by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, also revealed that Byrnihat, a small town in Meghalaya, has recorded even worse pollution levels than Delhi.
Despite a 7% decline in PM2.5 concentrations in 2024 compared to the previous year, India remains one of the most polluted nations globally, ranking fifth in the list. Delhi continues to hold the title of the world's most polluted capital city, with its air quality deteriorating further from last year.
The annual average PM2.5 concentration in the capital increased from 102.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023 to 108.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2024.
Among the Indian cities that made it to the list of the 20 most polluted places are Byrnihat, Mullanpur in Punjab, Faridabad, Loni, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh, and Noida.
The data also showed that 35% of Indian cities reported PM2.5 levels more than 10 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.
Byrnihat, located on the Assam-Meghalaya border, has seen worsening air quality due to industrial emissions from local factories, including distilleries, iron, and steel plants.
The situation in Delhi remains critical as well, with pollution levels peaking during winter due to factors such as vehicular emissions, crop burning, firecrackers, and adverse meteorological conditions.
The long-term health impact of air pollution remains a growing concern. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 1.5 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were potentially linked to long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution.
Air pollution is known to cause respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and even cancer, with tiny PM2.5 particles entering the bloodstream and lungs.
Despite having comprehensive data on air pollution, experts believe that India still lacks sufficient action to tackle the crisis effectively. Former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan emphasized the need for urgent intervention, including better subsidies for LPG to replace biomass burning.
She also highlighted the importance of expanding public transport and imposing stricter regulations on industries and construction sites.
Greenpeace South Asia's deputy programme director, Avinash Chanchal, pointed out that the current clean air action plans are insufficient to curb pollution. He called for a dedicated public transport fund to improve bus fleets, expand rapid transit systems, and provide fare subsidies.
Global policy expert Vivek Agarwal echoed similar concerns, stating that India's fragmented regulatory framework and unreliable pollution data hinder effective enforcement.
He criticized short-term policy measures like the odd-even vehicle scheme in Delhi, which he described as political theatre that fails to address the root causes of pollution.
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