India’s Most Polluted City is a Shocking Revelation: It’s Not Delhi or Noida
Pollution continues to plague Indian cities, but the most polluted urban center in 2024 is not Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, or any other usual suspect. According to a recent report by climate tech firm Respirer Living Sciences, the title goes to a lesser-known city, underscoring the pressing need for air quality interventions nationwide.
The report, ‘Towards Clear Skies 2025: An In-Depth Analysis of Air Quality Improvements in Indian Cities (2019-2024),’ sheds light on pollution trends and the progress made under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). It highlights significant strides in reducing air pollution in several regions while also drawing attention to cities where challenges remain critical.
The findings reveal that industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and inadequate regulatory enforcement influence air pollution levels in many Indian cities. Notably, smaller urban centers in northern, central, and eastern India have emerged as the most polluted, often overshadowing larger metros regarding deteriorating air quality.
Delhi’s Weather and Air Quality
While Delhi has long been associated with hazardous pollution, the city recorded a notable drop in temperature on Thursday amid cold wave conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 6.4 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am, with predictions of a further dip to 5 degrees Celsius. However, Delhi’s PM2.5 levels have shown slight improvement, reflecting the impact of sustained efforts under NCAP.
Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in 2024
The report lists the most polluted cities in India, emphasizing areas requiring urgent intervention. These cities include:
- Rank 1: Byrnihat, Assam (127.3)
- Rank 2: Delhi, Delhi (107.0)
- Rank 3: Gurugram, Haryana (96.7)
- Rank 4: Faridabad, Haryana (87.1)
- Rank 5: Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan (85.5)
- Rank 6: Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh (83.9)
- Rank 7: Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh (83.2)
- Rank 8: Durgapur, West Bengal (82.0)
- Rank 9: Asansol, West Bengal (80.3)
- Rank 10: Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (79.9)
This ranking serves as a crucial indicator for policymakers and environmentalists to focus their efforts on these cities. ‘Targeted interventions, such as controlling industrial emissions, improving public transport, and strengthening air quality monitoring, are vital to bringing these cities into compliance with national air quality standards, reads the report.
The National Clean Air Programme has been pivotal in driving air quality improvements, yet gaps in implementation persist. The report calls for a multi-pronged approach to combat pollution, focusing on stricter emission controls, enhanced public awareness, and robust enforcement mechanisms.
Source: India.com
