Delhi remains world’s most polluted capital; 13 Indian cities among worst globally
13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat in Assam rating the very best, in keeping with the World Air High quality Report 2024 by Swiss agency IQAir. Delhi continues to carry the undesirable title of the world’s most polluted capital, whereas India is now the fifth most polluted nation—an enchancment from its third-place rating in 2023.
The report famous that India’s common PM2.5 ranges dropped by 7 per cent in 2024, standing at 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre, in comparison with 54.4 in 2023. But, six of the world’s 10 most polluted cities stay in India. Delhi’s air high quality confirmed little enchancment, with its PM2.5 focus at 91.6 micrograms per cubic metre—barely down from 92.7 in 2023.
Different Indian cities on the planet’s prime 20 most polluted record embody Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad, Loni, New Delhi, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Higher Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh, and Noida.
The size of air pollution is stark—35 per cent of Indian cities recorded PM2.5 ranges over 10 occasions the WHO-recommended restrict of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.
Air pollution reducing life brief
Consultants warn that air air pollution stays a significant well being hazard in India, slashing life expectancy by about 5.2 years. A Lancet Planetary Well being examine discovered that between 2009 and 2019, an estimated 1.5 million deaths yearly in India had been linked to long-term PM2.5 publicity.
PM2.5 particles—sufficiently small to enter the lungs and bloodstream—originate from automobile emissions, industrial actions, and the burning of biomass and crop waste. Lengthy-term publicity may cause extreme respiratory points, coronary heart ailments, and even most cancers.
‘We’ve information, now we’d like motion’
Former WHO chief scientist and well being ministry advisor Soumya Swaminathan confused the necessity for stronger measures. “We’ve the info; now we’d like motion,” she instructed PTI.
She advised that the federal government increase current LPG subsidy schemes to encourage folks to maneuver away from polluting biomass fuels. The primary cylinder is free, however the poorest households, particularly ladies, want better subsidies to make the shift completely, she stated.
For city areas, she advocated higher public transport and stricter automobile rules. “A mixture of incentives and penalties is critical. Industries and development websites have to be held accountable and set up emission-cutting tools as a substitute of taking shortcuts,” she added.
With air pollution worsening regardless of data-driven warnings, consultants consider stricter enforcement and pressing coverage interventions are the one approach ahead.
