Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in India (2024) | Delhi Ranks First On the List

Air pollution in India is a major environmental issue that affects the health of millions of people. The main sources of air pollution in India include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, agricultural burning, and more. 

Further, festivals are around the corner, due to which people are going to burn firecrackers, worsening the air quality in many cities across the country. 

Although the government has put bans on firecrackers in some areas, enforcement of these bans remains a challenge.  

The AQI metre in Indian cities has risen above 400, indicating a health risk, resulting in an increase in respiratory illnesses and other health issues. 

Every year, approximately 7 million people die worldwide due to air pollution-related illnesses. Countries like India and China are among the hardest hit. 

For instance, a Lancet study highlighted that in 2019 alone, air pollution led to over 2.3 million premature deaths in India, with nearly 1.6 million of these due solely to air pollution. 

Recently, the Supreme Court passed a verdict that farmers burning stubble will be fined or even face imprisonment to reduce air pollution. 

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Reasons for High AQI

1. Vehicular Emissions: Urban areas like New Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad are plagued by heavy traffic, contributing significantly to air pollution. The increasing number of vehicles on the roads leads to higher emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
2. Industrial Pollution: Cities such as Faridabad and Hapur are home to numerous factories and industrial units that release pollutants into the air. The lack of stringent regulations often results in unchecked emissions.
3. Construction Activities: Ongoing construction projects in cities like Gurgaon and Noida generate dust and particulate matter. This is particularly problematic during dry seasons, when dust can easily become airborne.
4. Crop Burning: In nearby agricultural regions, practices such as stubble burning contribute to seasonal spikes in air pollution. This is especially relevant for cities like Agra and Meerut, where surrounding agricultural activities impact air quality.
5. Meteorological Conditions: Weather patterns play a crucial role in air quality. During winter months, temperature inversions can trap pollutants close to the ground, exacerbating the situation in cities like New Delhi.

Top Ten India’s Most Polluted Cities (2024)

Here's the list of the top 10 most polluted cities in India, with Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Noida ranking among the highest. 

These cities are facing a severe air quality crisis due to a combination of factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and crop burning. 

Source: AQI.in

1) New Delhi

With an AQI of 417, New Delhi is facing a public health crisis, with PM2.5 levels often exceeding safe limits by several times. Authorities have implemented emergency measures, including restrictions on construction activities and vehicle usage.

2) Meerut

An AQI of 377 reflects a combination of industrial emissions and vehicular pollution. Local authorities are under pressure to address these issues through stricter regulations.

3) Hapur

The city's AQI of 361 indicates significant pollution from both industrial activities and traffic congestion, necessitating immediate action from local governments.

4) & 5) Faridabad and Noida

Both cities have AQIs of 352 and 338, respectively. They share pollution sources with New Delhi, including heavy traffic and industrial discharges.

6) Ghaziabad

With an AQI of 318, Ghaziabad suffers from high levels of industrial emissions combined with vehicular pollution.

7) Bhiwani

An AQI of 309 highlights the impact of industrial growth on air quality in this region, which requires more stringent environmental controls.

8) Muzaffarnagar

With an AQI of 304, Muzaffarnagar faces challenges from both urbanisation and agricultural practices nearby, affecting its air quality significantly.

9) Rohtak

An AQI of 301 indicates that Rohtak is also grappling with pollution from local industries and vehicular emissions.

10) Bhiwadi

With an AQI of 298, Bhiwadi's air quality is impacted by nearby industrial activities and construction work.

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Conclusion

According to AQI, New Delhi ranks first on the list with an average AQI of 417, which is considered "hazardous" for health. This high level of pollution is mainly attributed to vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and crop burning in neighbouring states.

Additionally, this was about the most polluted cities in India. However, according to the World Air Quality Report 2024, New Delhi still ranks in first place as the most polluted city in the world with an average AQI of 267. 

Following New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai rank in the 5th and 12th positions, respectively, in terms of pollution levels. 

The average AQI in Kolkata is 138, while in Mumbai it is 98. These cities also face challenges due to factors like traffic congestion and construction activities contributing to poor air quality. 

As of right now, New Delhi's PM2.5 concentration is 12.8 times higher than the WHO 24-hour air quality recommendations value. 

The most polluted location within New Delhi is Anand Vihar, which reports the worst conditions, with an alarming AQI of 518, categorising it as hazardous due to high PM2.5 and PM10 levels. 

Other areas like Alipur (AQI 348), Anand Lok (AQI 335), and Anand Parbat (AQI 355) are also marked unhealthy with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 160 µg/m³. 

The government has implemented measures such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Urban Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, and more to address the air pollution crisis in New Delhi. 

Despite these efforts, there is still a long way to go in improving air quality and protecting public health in the city. 

Also Read| List of the 10 Most Polluted Countries in Asia (2024)