India’s air pollution crisis: 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India - Report

A newly published air quality report presents a concerning scenario for India, showing that 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are located within the country. The World Air Quality Report 2024, released by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, identifies Byrnihat in Assam as the most polluted city globally. Meanwhile, Delhi remains the world's most polluted capital city, and India ranked fifth overall in 2024—a slight improvement from its third-place ranking in 2023.According to the report, India witnessed a 7% decline in PM2.5 concentrations in 2024, with an average of 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre, compared to 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. However, despite this improvement, six of the world's 10 most polluted cities are still in India. Delhi recorded consistently high pollution levels, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 micrograms per cubic metre, barely changing from 92.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023.The 13 Indian cities that made it to the list of the world’s top 20 most polluted cities include Byrnihat (Assam), Delhi, Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad, Loni, New Delhi, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh, and Noida. Globally, India ranked behind Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in terms of pollution levels.Read more: EB-5 Visa Retrogression: What it means for Indians seeking US Green CardsIn India, air pollution is still a major health risk; estimates indicate that it shortens life expectancy by 5.2 years on average. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution was associated with over 1.5 million fatalities annually in India between 2009 and 2019, according to a different study published in The Lancet Planetary Health.PM2.5 is the term for tiny air pollution particles that are smaller than 2.5 microns that can enter the bloodstream and lungs, raising the risk of heart disease, and respiratory problems. Burning biomass, industrial activity, and automobile emissions are the main causes of this pollution.While acknowledging India's progress in gathering data on air quality, former WHO top scientist and health ministry advisor Soumya Swaminathan highlighted the pressing need for action. She highlighted the significance of increasing access to LPG for cooking in order to replace biomass, which will likely help to lower pollution levels both indoors and outdoors.Read more: New Zealand expands Parent Visa quota for 2025: What you need to knowSwaminathan also supported tighter pollution regulations and the expansion of public transit. She recommended a mix of rewards and sanctions, such as increased LPG cylinder subsidies for low-income households and fines for polluting businesses and automobiles.Experts concur that India must give stronger enforcement of air quality laws, the adoption of cleaner energy, and better public transit top priority in order to properly address the growing pollution levels that are endangering the environment and human health.