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

Air pollution in India is a major environmental issue affecting the health of millions of people. The major sources of air pollution in India include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, agricultural burning, etc.

In addition, with the festival approaching, people will set off firecrackers, causing air quality to deteriorate in many cities across the country.

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Although the government has banned firecrackers in some areas, enforcing these bans remains a challenge.

The air quality index in Indian cities has risen above 400, indicating health risks, leading to an increase in respiratory illnesses and other health problems.

Every year, approximately 7 million people worldwide die from air pollution-related illnesses. Countries such as India and China are among the worst affected.

For example, a study by The Lancet highlighted that air pollution caused more than 2.3 million premature deaths in India in 2019 alone, of which nearly 1.6 million died due to air pollution alone.

Recently, the Supreme People’s Court passed a ruling that farmers who burn straw to reduce air pollution will be fined and even face imprisonment.

For you:

Reasons for high AQI

1. Vehicle Emissions: Traffic congestion in urban areas such as New Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad significantly contributes to air pollution. The increase in the number of vehicles on the road has led to increased emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
2. Industrial Pollution: Cities like Faridabad and Hapur have numerous factories and industrial units that emit pollutants into the air. The lack of strict regulations often results in uncontrolled emissions.
3. Construction Activities: Ongoing construction projects in cities like Gurgaon and Noida generate dust and particulate matter. This is especially problematic during dry seasons, as dust can easily become airborne.
4. Crop burning: In nearby agricultural areas, practices such as straw burning contribute to seasonal spikes in air pollution. This is especially important for cities like Agra and Meerut, where agricultural activities around them affect air quality.
5. Meteorological conditions: Weather patterns play a vital role in air quality. In winter, temperature inversions can trap pollutants near the ground, exacerbating the situation in cities like New Delhi.

Top 10 most polluted cities in India (2024)

Here is a list of the 10 most polluted cities in India, with Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida topping the list.

These cities are facing a serious air quality crisis due to a variety of factors including vehicle emissions, industrial pollution and crop burning.

rank	City	air quality index
1	New Delhi	Chapter 417
2	meerut	Chapter 377
3	Hapur	Chapter 361
4	faridabad	Chapter 352
5	Noida	See more : Optical Illusion Brain Challenge: If you have Sharp Eyes Find the word Rare among Fare in 20 Secs Chapter 338
6	Ghaziabad	318
7	Bhiwani	309
8	muzaffarnagar	304
9	Rohtak	301
10	Bhiwadi	298
11	agra	Chapter 287
13	Gurgaon	274
15	sonipat	270
No. 17	Etava	250
19	fatehpur sikri	243
20	firozabad	228

Source: AQI.in

1) New Delhi

New Delhi, with an AQI of 417, 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 use.

2) Meerut

The air quality index was 377, reflecting the combined impact of industrial emissions and vehicle pollution. Local authorities are under pressure to address these issues through tougher regulations.

3) Hapur

The city’s air quality index was 361, indicating severe pollution caused by industrial activities and traffic congestion, and the local government must take immediate action.

4) & 5) Faridabad & Noida

The air quality indexes of the two cities were 352 and 338 respectively. They share pollution sources with New Delhi, including heavy traffic and industrial emissions.

6)Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad’s air quality index is 318, with high levels of industrial emissions and vehicle pollution.

7) Bhiwani

The AQI of 309 highlights the impact of industrial growth on air quality in the region, which requires tighter environmental controls.

8) Muzaffarnagar

Muzaffarnagar, with an AQI of 304, faces challenges from urbanization and nearby agricultural practices that severely affect its air quality.

9) Rohtak

The air quality index was 301, indicating that Rohtak is still grappling with pollution from local industry and vehicle emissions.

10) Bhiwadi

Bhiwadi has an air quality index of 298, with air quality affected by nearby industrial activities and construction work.

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in conclusion

According to AQI data, New Delhi ranks first, with an average AQI of 417, which is considered “harmful” to health. This high level of pollution is mainly attributed to vehicle emissions, industrial activities and crop burning in neighboring countries.

Furthermore, it is also the most polluted city in India. However, New Delhi still ranks first among the world’s most polluted cities with an average AQI of 267, according to the World Air Quality Report 2024.

Kolkata and Mumbai are closely followed by New Delhi, ranking 5th and 12th respectively in terms of pollution levels.

Kolkata’s average AQI is 138, while Mumbai’s average AQI is 98. These cities also face challenges due to poor air quality due to traffic congestion and construction activity.

As of now, the PM2.5 concentration in New Delhi is 12.8 times the World Health Organization’s 24-hour air quality recommended value.

The most polluted area in New Delhi is Anand Vihar, which has an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 518 and is classified as a hazardous area due to high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 .

Other areas such as Alipur (AQI 348), Anand Lok (AQI 335) and Anand Parbat (AQI 355) were also marked as unhealthy with PM2.5 concentration exceeding 160 µg/m3.

The government has implemented measures such as National Clean Air Program (NCAP), National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP), National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Urban Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 to address Delhi’s air pollution crisis.

Despite these efforts, there is still a long way to go to improve urban air quality and protect public health.

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

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion