India Home to 13 of the World's 20 Most Polluted Cities, Finds IQAir Report

India has once again emerged as one of the most polluted countries in the world, ranking fifth in terms of air quality in 2024, according to the latest IQAir World Air Quality Report. While this marks a slight improvement from its third-place ranking in 2023, the country still struggles with dangerously high pollution levels, with six of the world's ten most polluted cities and 13 of the 20 worst-affected cities. The report highlights how rapid industrialization, poor emission controls, and unregulated urban expansion have exacerbated the problem, leading to severe environmental and health consequences. 

The top five most polluted countries in 2024 were:

• Chad (Central Africa) – Most polluted.
• Bangladesh – Second most polluted.
• Pakistan – Third most polluted.
• Congo – Fourth most polluted.
• India – Fifth most polluted.

Only seven countries worldwide met WHO’s annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Estonia, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand.

Key Findings from the IQAir 2024 Report

According to IQAir's 2024 World Air Quality Report, 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in India. These cities are:

• Byrnihat, Meghalaya
• Delhi
• Mullanpur, Punjab
• Faridabad, Haryana
• Loni, Uttar Pradesh
• New Delhi
• Gurugram, Haryana
• Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh
• Bhiwadi, Rajasthan
• Central Delhi
• Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

These cities have reported alarmingly high levels of PM2.5, a fine particulate matter hazardous to human health. 

Other key findings include:

India’s annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 50.6 µg/m³, reflecting severe air pollution levels:

• 10 times higher than the WHO’s safe limit of 5 µg/m³.
• 26% above India’s own national air quality standard.
• 35% of Indian cities recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding 10 times the WHO limit.

Byrnihat: The Most Polluted Metropolitan Area in the World

One of the most alarming revelations in the report is that Byrnihat, a lesser-known town in Meghalaya, recorded the highest PM2.5 concentration globally at 128.2 µg/m³. This figure is more than 25 times higher than the WHO’s recommended limit of 5 µg/m³ and over three times the Indian ambient air quality standards.

Byrnihat’s high pollution levels can be attributed to rapid industrialization, unchecked emissions, extensive deforestation, and increasing construction activity. Once a relatively small town, it has grown into an industrial hub, with factories and manufacturing units contributing significantly to the deteriorating air quality. The lack of adequate environmental regulations and pollution control mechanisms has allowed industries to release pollutants unchecked, making Byrnihat the most polluted metropolitan area in the world.

Delhi: The World’s Most Polluted Capital

While India as a whole saw a 7% decline in PM2.5 levels in 2024, Delhi remained the most polluted capital city in the world, recording an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 µg/m³. This figure is nearly unchanged from 92.7 µg/m³ in 2023, indicating that pollution control measures have had little impact on the city’s air quality.

The persistent pollution crisis in Delhi is driven by a combination of factors. Vehicular emissions from over 12 million registered vehicles contribute significantly to the problem, as does industrial pollution from neighboring states like Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. The annual practice of stubble burning by farmers in North India further exacerbates pollution levels, particularly in winter when smoke lingers over the city due to low wind speeds. Construction activities and dust from road infrastructure projects add to the air quality crisis, making Delhi one of the most challenging urban environments to breathe in.

The Health Impact of Air Pollution?

PM2.5, the primary pollutant responsible for India’s air quality crisis, is one of the most dangerous air pollutants due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Long-term exposure leads to severe respiratory illnesses, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and lung cancer.

According to the University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), air pollution reduces average life expectancy in India by 5.2 years. The impact is particularly severe in urban centers where pollution levels remain consistently high throughout the year. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable, with studies showing a direct correlation between prolonged exposure to PM2.5 and developmental issues in young children.

Why Pollution Control Measures Are Falling Short?

Over the years, India has introduced several initiatives to tackle air pollution, but their effectiveness remains questionable. The government has implemented smog towers, vehicle rationing schemes, and clean fuel programs, yet pollution levels have not shown significant improvement. The primary reasons for this failure include poor enforcement of environmental regulations, inadequate monitoring, and a lack of coordination between central and state governments.

In Delhi, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is activated during high-pollution days, but its impact is short-lived as long-term solutions such as emission reductions and sustainable urban planning remain inadequate. Efforts to promote electric vehicles have gained momentum, but charging infrastructure and affordability remain key challenges.

Urgent Measures Needed

To effectively combat air pollution, India must adopt a multi-faceted, long-term strategy that prioritizes industrial emission control, cleaner energy solutions, and urban planning reforms.

Stricter Industrial Regulations

The government must implement real-time emission monitoring systems in industries and enforce hefty penalties for non-compliance. Shutting down high-emission industrial units and promoting cleaner production technologies will be critical.

Transition to Cleaner Transportation

Expanding the use of electric vehicles and strengthening public transportation networks can significantly reduce vehicular pollution. Incentives for EV adoption, along with investments in charging infrastructure, should be prioritized.

Tackling Crop Burning Effectively

The annual stubble burning issue in North India remains a significant contributor to winter smog. Providing subsidized bio-decomposers and alternative methods to dispose of crop waste can help mitigate this problem.

Sustainable Urban Development

With construction and dust being major contributors to pollution, there is an urgent need for dust control policies at construction sites, along with better urban greening initiatives to improve air quality. Expanding green cover through afforestation and urban plantations can play a crucial role.

Better Public Awareness and Citizen Participation

Many pollution control initiatives fail due to a lack of public awareness and participation. Educating citizens about the dangers of air pollution and promoting community-led initiatives to reduce emissions can have a positive impact.

India’s air pollution crisis is a major public health and environmental challenge that requires urgent intervention. Despite some progress, the country continues to struggle with high PM2.5 levels, weak regulatory enforcement, and inadequate pollution control measures. With cities like Byrnihat and Delhi facing hazardous air quality levels, policymakers must take decisive action to implement long-term sustainable solutions.

If left unaddressed, air pollution will not only continue to reduce life expectancy but also pose a significant threat to India’s economic growth and urban development. Immediate and effective measures are the need of the hour to secure a healthier future for millions of Indians.