The World Air Quality Report 2024, compiled by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, reveals that Delhi remains the most polluted capital city in the world. The report presented a detailed analysis of alarming air pollution levels across the globe, with India bearing a significant portion of the burden.
Although there has been some improvement, with a 7% decrease in PM2.5 concentrations across India, the average PM2.5 level remains high at 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024, down from 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. Alarmingly, six of the world’s ten most polluted cities are still in India.
According to the report, Byrnihat in Assam is the most polluted city worldwide, while Delhi continues to be the most polluted capital city, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly unchanged from 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023.
A total of 13 Indian cities feature in the list of the world's top 20 most polluted cities:
Byrnihat (Assam), Delhi, Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad, Loni, New Delhi, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh, and Noida.
Furthermore, a staggering 35% of Indian cities have PM2.5 levels that are more than 10 times the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
The health impact of such high pollution levels is severe, with air pollution reducing life expectancy in India by an estimated 5.2 years. A Lancet Planetary Health study indicates that approximately 1.5 million deaths in India each year between 2009 and 2019 were potentially linked to long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution.
These fine particles can lead to respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer and are primarily caused by vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and the burning of wood and crop waste.
Experts, such as Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist at the WHO, have weighed in on the crisis, noting that India has made strides in air quality data collection, but more concentrated action is needed.
“We have the data; now we need action. Some solutions are easy,l ike replacing biomass with LPG. India already has a scheme for this, but we must further subsidize additional cylinders. The first cylinder is free, but the poorest families, especially women, should receive higher subsidies. This will improve their health and reduce outdoor air pollution," said Swaminiathan in an interview with PTI.
In cities, expanding public transport and imposing fines on certain cars could help. "A mix of incentives and penalties is necessary," she added.
Adding to the discussion, the former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research told PTI, “Strict enforcement of emission laws is crucial. Industries and construction sites must comply with regulations and install equipment to cut emissions instead of taking shortcuts."