You have to pay for your breath! Sounds shocking, but it’s true. Among the 30 most polluted cities in the world, 21 are in India. With over 140 million people breathing air that exceeds the WHO safe limit by 10 times or more, the air quality crisis is alarming. In fact, 13 of the world’s 20 cities with the highest annual pollution levels are in India. This highlights the urgent need to address the deteriorating air quality in the most polluted cities in India.
You may be shocked to hear that air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million Indians every year, with emissions coming from vehicles and industry and biomass burning for cooking and keeping warm in rural areas. Are you eager to know about India’s most polluted cities that contribute most to air pollution? Yes? So let’s dive deep into the article to know about it.
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Top Most Polluted Cities in India (2024)
Here’s the list of the top most polluted cities in India. These cities face a severe air quality crisis due to a combination of factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and crop burning.
Delhi:
Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in India. As per the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s air quality index reaches above 343, which is considered very poor. The major factors for poor air quality are tremendous growth in population, vehicles, industries, and infrastructure developments over time.
Many areas of Delhi, like Chandni Chowk, RK Puram, and Lodhi Road, reported AQI levels in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ categories. The AQI in Mayur Vihar and Anand Vihar hovered around ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ categories.
Asansol:
Asansol is the second-largest city in West Bengal. This cosmopolitan city is connected by the Grand Trunk Road and by rail with Durgapur, Burdwan, and Kolkata. It is an important railway and coal-trading centre.
The air quality in Asansol has reached an unhealthy level, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 328, which falls into the “very poor” category. This level of pollution can have immediate health effects on sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions.
Durgapur:
The air quality in Durgapur has deteriorated significantly, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 392, placing it in the “Very Poor” category. Such high levels of pollution pose serious health risks to all individuals, especially those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions.
Talcher:
Talcher, a coal-mining city in Odisha, has an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 306, categorized as “very poor,” primarily caused by industrial emissions, coal mining activities, and vehicular pollution.
Hajipur:
Hajipur, a city in Bihar, is facing severe air pollution with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 325, placing it in the “very poor” category. This level of pollution can cause significant health problems, particularly for sensitive groups such as children and the elderly.
Haldia:
Haldia, an industrial city in West Bengal, is experiencing poor air quality with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 322, categorized as “very poor.” The primary causes of poor air quality in Haldia include industrial emissions, shipping activities, and vehicular pollution.
Howrah:
Howrah, a prominent city in West Bengal, India, faces significant air pollution challenges, as evidenced by its Air Quality Index (AQI) of 350. Such a reading categorizes the air quality as “very unhealthy,” posing severe risks to residents, especially those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Major Air Pollutants and Their Sources
Air pollution in India stems from major pollutants such as vehicle emissions, industrial discharges, agricultural burning, and other sources, contributing to severe environmental and health impacts.
The Air Quality Index (AQI), which ranges from 0 to 500, often exceeds 400 in several Indian cities, signaling critical health risks, particularly respiratory illnesses.
Alarmingly, air pollution leads to approximately 7 million deaths globally each year.To combat this crisis, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was initiated in 2019, targeting a 20%-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2024 through stricter regulations, monitoring, and public awareness campaigns.
How to Overcome Air Pollution?
Air pollution is a big problem affecting our health and the planet. Here are some easy and good ways to fight it:
1. Plant More Trees
Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, making the air cleaner. Everyone must plant some trees in their areas and support afforestation efforts.
2. Use Public Transport or Carpool
Vehicle emissions are one of the main causes of air pollution. Reduce these vehicle emissions by using public transport, cycling, walking, or sharing rides that will help minimise the number of vehicles on the road, cutting down on air pollution.
3. Switch to Cleaner Energy Sources
Use renewable sources of energy like solar or wind power instead of fossil fuels. At home, switch to energy-efficient appliances to lower emissions.
4. Avoid Burning Waste
Don’t burn the leaves and trash because it releases harmful pollutants into the air. Instead, you should compost organic waste and dispose of non-biodegradable materials responsibly.
6. Use Masks and Air Purifiers
Start wearing a mask when your surroundings air quality is poor. Also, you can install air purifiers at home to clean indoor air.
7. Promote Awareness
Word of mouth spread like fire in the forest. So educate people about the causes and effects of air pollution and how they can contribute to its reduction, as community efforts can lead to impactful changes.
A Motivational Story: How a Couple in Delhi Fought Air Pollution
Meet Peter Singh and his wife, Neeno Kaur, a couple living in Delhi, a city infamous for its alarming air pollution levels. When Neeno Kaur was diagnosed with cancer, the couple decided to transform their lifestyle. They found a powerful solution in Aquaponics.
It completely changed their lives!
The couple set up an aquaponic greenhouse in their home. They grow 10,000 to 15,000 plants using vermicompost and coco peat. What’s unique about their system is that they don’t use soil at all. Instead, they rely on a symbiotic process between plants and fish. Their setup includes four large fish aquariums, where the ammonia-rich water from the tanks is filtered and used to nourish the plants. These plants, in turn, absorb the nutrients, cleaning the water, which is then cycled back into the fish tanks.
Sustainable Living
Peter and Neeno didn’t stop there. They adopted multiple eco-friendly practices, including:
- Turning kitchen waste into organic compost.
- Harvesting rainwater to maximize water resources.
- Recycling graywater for further use in their system.
These efforts have made their home an oasis of fresh air, even as Delhi struggles with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of over 400+. Remarkably, their house maintains an AQI of just 15, which is even better than Himachal Pradesh!
Their Home is Cooler than Delhi Summers
Another incredible benefit of their setup is its natural cooling effect. Even in Delhi’s scorching summer heat, their greenhouse stays at a comfortable 25°C.
You Can Do It Too
This story is the best example of how individuals can combat air pollution and create healthier living spaces. Don’t wait for the government to protect you; they will work on larger solutions. It’s up to us to take steps to protect ourselves and our families.
You don’t need huge money to do it. You just need a small space in your home to:
- Plant trees or create a small garden.
- Compost your kitchen waste.
- Harvest rainwater and recycle water.
If Peter and Neeno can transform their home and fight pollution, so can you. Take the first step today and inspire others to join you in building a greener future!Watch their inspiring video to see how they made it happen.
How to Calculate AQI in India?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in India is a standardized measure to assess and evaluate air pollution levels efficiently. It considers multiple pollutants and assigns a single value that reflects air quality. Here’s how it is calculated:
1. Pollutants Considered
India’s AQI is calculated using concentrations of the following major pollutants:
- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
- Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Ozone (O3)
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Lead (Pb)
2. Sub-Index Calculation for Each Pollutant
For each pollutant, a sub-index is calculated based on its concentration.
- The pollutant concentration is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) or milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m³).
- The concentration is then matched to a predefined AQI breakpoint table provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- The breakpoint table assigns specific AQI values corresponding to ranges of pollutant concentrations.
3. Identify the Highest Sub-Index
The overall AQI is determined by the highest sub-index value among all pollutants.
- For example, if PM2.5 has a sub-index of 180 and NO2 has 150, the AQI will be 180.
4. AQI Categories
The AQI is categorized into six levels based on health impacts:
| AQI Range | Air Quality | Health Implications |
| 0-50 | Good | Minimal impact |
| 51-100 | Satisfactory | Minor breathing discomfort for sensitive people |
| 101-200 | Moderate | Breathing discomfort for people with lung diseases |
| 201-300 | Poor | Breathing discomfort for most people |
| 301-400 | Very Poor | Respiratory illness on prolonged exposure |
| 401-500 | Severe | Serious health impacts, even for healthy people |
5. Online Monitoring
India uses continuous monitoring stations equipped with sensors to record pollutant levels in real time. The data is then processed to compute the AQI.You can check AQI levels in your area through platforms like the CPCB website, SAFAR app, or weather apps that include air quality details.
Conclusion: Most Polluted Cities in India
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