According to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the ten most polluted cities in India during October 2024 were all within the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). Topping the list was Delhi, with an alarming average PM2.5 concentration of 111 micrograms per cubic meter, followed closely by Ghaziabad at 110 and Muzaffarnagar at 103. CREA monitored a total of 263 cities across India, using data from continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations, with 80% coverage throughout the year.

🚨 India's 10 most polluted cities in October. (CREA)

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1. Delhi
2. Ghaziabad
3. Muzaffarnagar
4. Hapur
5. Noida
6. Meerut
7. Charkhi Dadri
8. Greater Noida
9. Gurgaon
10. Bahadurgarh

All 10 cities belong to the Delhi NCR region.

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NCR Dominates the Pollution Rankings

The report highlighted that Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Noida, Meerut, Charkhi Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, and Bahadurgarh entirely NCR cities ranked second through tenth on the pollution scale for October. CREA noted this concerning ranking has persisted despite the Graded Response Action Plan, implemented from October 15, to mitigate pollution.

Other Indian Megacities Maintain Air Quality Standards

While Delhi struggled with severe pollution, CREA reported that other major Indian cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru managed to keep their PM2.5 levels below the national standard in October.

Uttar Pradesh and Haryana See High Pollution Levels

For the first time this year, Uttar Pradesh had six cities in the top 10 polluted cities, with Haryana contributing three. All ten NCR cities in the list reported PM2.5 levels far exceeding the daily national air quality standard of 60 micrograms per cubic meter, as well as the World Health Organization’s recommended daily guideline of 15 micrograms per cubic meter.

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Major Sources of Pollution: Transboundary and Local

Manoj Kumar, an analyst at CREA, explained that, according to the Decision Support System for Air Quality Management in Delhi, about 60-70% of Delhi’s average PM2.5 levels in October were due to transboundary sources, with less than 10% stemming from stubble burning. The data underscores the need for sustained, long-term solutions, as the high pollution levels were largely driven by year-round contributors like transportation, industries, and power plants.

Delhi’s Pollution Levels Highest in Four Years

Delhi recorded its highest October pollution levels in the last four years, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 111 micrograms per cubic meter. This compares with 104 in 2023, 105 in 2022, 75 in 2021, and 133 in 2020. October’s average this year was also 2.5 times higher than the previous month’s average of 43 micrograms per cubic meter.

Air Quality Levels in October 2024

In October, Delhi experienced air quality in the ‘very poor’ category on 14 days (121-250 micrograms per cubic meter), ‘poor’ on four days (91-120 micrograms per cubic meter), and ‘moderate’ on eight days (61-90 micrograms per cubic meter). The national standard of 60 micrograms per cubic meter or lower was met on only five days.

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