13 of the World's 20 Most Polluted Cities Are in India, Delhi Remains Most Polluted Capital
The 2024 World Air Quality Report by IQAir reveals that 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Delhi retaining its position as the most polluted capital. India ranks as the fifth most polluted country, with air pollution severely impacting public health.
13 of the World’s 20 Most Polluted Cities Are in India, Delhi Remains Most Polluted Capital
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Air pollution continues to be a critical challenge for India, as the latest World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir highlights. The report states that 13 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India, with Byrnihat in Assam emerging as the most polluted globally. Delhi, once again, holds the dubious title of the most polluted capital city. While India has improved its ranking from the third most polluted country in 2023 to the fifth in 2024, air pollution remains a severe public health crisis.
India’s Air Pollution Crisis in Numbers
According to the report, India witnessed a 7% reduction in PM2.5 levels in 2024, with the average concentration declining to 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter from 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. However, six of the world’s 10 most polluted cities are still in India.
Delhi recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 micrograms per cubic meter, barely improving from 92.7 in 2023. This level far exceeds the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Top Polluted Cities in India
The 13 Indian cities among the world’s 20 most polluted are:
- Byrnihat (Assam)
- Delhi
- Mullanpur (Punjab)
- Faridabad
- Loni
- New Delhi
- Gurugram
- Ganganagar
- Greater Noida
- Bhiwadi
- Muzaffarnagar
- Hanumangarh
- Noida
Notably, 35% of Indian cities recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding 10 times the WHO’s recommended limit, indicating widespread pollution concerns.
Health Implications of PM2.5 Pollution
PM2.5 pollution consists of microscopic particles smaller than 2.5 microns, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing severe health issues. It has been linked to respiratory diseases, heart ailments, stroke, and even cancer.
A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health reported that 1.5 million deaths in India annually (from 2009 to 2019) were attributed to long-term PM2.5 exposure. Furthermore, air pollution is estimated to reduce life expectancy in India by 5.2 years.
Expert Opinion: The Need for Urgent Action
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO Chief Scientist and advisor to India’s health ministry, emphasized the importance of taking immediate action.
“We have the data; now we need action. Some solutions, like replacing biomass with LPG for cooking, are straightforward. The government should further subsidize LPG cylinders for poor households to reduce pollution exposure.”
She also highlighted the role of public transport expansion and stricter vehicle emission laws in combating urban air pollution.
“A combination of incentives and penalties is necessary. Industries and construction sites must comply with strict emission regulations rather than cutting corners,” she added.
Solutions to Curb Air Pollution in India
To tackle the rising pollution levels, experts recommend:
- Enhancing clean energy adoption: Encouraging a shift from biomass-based fuels to cleaner alternatives like LPG and solar power.
- Strengthening public transport systems: Reducing vehicular pollution through efficient metro, bus, and electric vehicle infrastructure.
- Implementing stricter emission laws: Ensuring industrial and construction compliance with environmental standards.
- Promoting urban green spaces: Expanding tree cover and green belts to improve air quality.
While India has shown slight improvement in air quality, the country still faces a severe air pollution crisis, with many cities exceeding dangerous PM2.5 levels. Urgent and sustained efforts are required to combat pollution and safeguard public health. Stronger policies, stricter enforcement, and increased public awareness are key to addressing this pressing environmental challenge.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 3:51 pm by Rahul Choursia. Email:[email protected].
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