New report highlights India’s air pollution crisis with 13 of the world’s most polluted cities

A new report on global air quality has revealed a grim reality for India, as 13 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are within its borders. The World Air Quality Report 2024, published by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, has identified Byrnihat in Assam as the most polluted city globally. Meanwhile, Delhi continues to hold the unenviable title of the world’s most polluted capital city.

India’s overall ranking in air pollution has improved slightly, dropping to fifth place in 2024 from third in 2023. However, the report highlights that despite a 7% decline in PM2.5 concentrations—averaging 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2024 compared to 54.4 in 2023—six of the world’s 10 most polluted cities are still in India.

India’s air pollution crisis

Delhi recorded consistently high pollution levels, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly unchanged from 92.7 in 2023.

The 13 Indian cities ranked among the top 20 most polluted worldwide are:

Byrnihat (Assam)
Delhi
Mullanpur (Punjab)
Faridabad
Loni
New Delhi
Gurugram
Ganganagar
Greater Noida
Bhiwadi
Muzaffarnagar
Hanumangarh
Noida

Globally, India ranks behind Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in air pollution levels.

Health risks and solutions

Air pollution remains a severe health hazard in India, reducing average life expectancy by approximately 5.2 years. A study published last year in The Lancet Planetary Health suggested that long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution was potentially linked to 1.5 million deaths annually in India from 2009 to 2019.

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and even cancer. The primary sources of PM2.5 pollution include vehicle emissions, industrial waste, and the burning of biomass and crop residue.

Former WHO chief scientist and health ministry advisor Soumya Swaminathan acknowledged India’s progress in air quality data collection but stressed the need for more action.

“We have the data; now we need action. Some solutions are simple, like replacing biomass with LPG. India already has a scheme for this, but additional subsidies should be provided to the poorest families to encourage cleaner fuel usage,” she told PTI.

Swaminathan also advocated for expanding public transport, imposing fines on polluting vehicles, and enforcing strict emissions regulations.

“Industries and construction sites must comply with regulations and install proper equipment to reduce emissions instead of taking shortcuts,” she added.

The way forward

With 35% of Indian cities reporting PM2.5 levels exceeding ten times the WHO’s safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre, urgent intervention is needed. The report underscores that while improvements have been made, air pollution remains a pressing challenge that demands stronger policies, stricter enforcement, and increased public awareness.