According to a recent report analyzing Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi tops the list of the 10 most polluted cities in the country from October 2022 to September 2023. The concentration of PM 2.5 here is 100.01 micrograms per cubic metre, Which is three times the safe limit set by the government.
Key points
- Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in India. There has been some improvement in air quality due to climatic factors like rain and wind, but Delhi still tops the list of polluted cities.
- Apart from Delhi, four more cities of the National Capital Region (NCR) – Faridabad (89 micrograms per cubic meter), Noida (79.1 micrograms per cubic meter), Ghaziabad (78.3 micrograms per cubic meter) and Meerut (76.9 micrograms per cubic meter) – Also included in the top 10 most polluted cities.
Patna ranks second among polluted cities
- The analysis revealed that Patna remained the second most polluted city during this period with an average PM 2.5 concentration of 99.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Patna saw a 24 percent decline in air quality compared to last year.
- The report notes that the top seven polluted cities are Delhi, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Faridabad, Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut, all of which are part of the Indo-Gangetic plains.
What’s in the report
- The report is based on the government’s analysis of PM2.5 data from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, and focuses on cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme.
- The program aims to achieve a 40 percent reduction in particulate matter (PM) by 2026.
Cleanest air in the country
- The analysis conducted by climate trends and technology firm Respirer Living Sciences has revealed that Aizawl and Mizoram have the cleanest air there with PM 2.5 levels at only 11.1 micrograms per cubic metre.
Efforts made by the government to reduce air pollution
- Measures like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana or peripheral highways, hyperlocal development around Delhi are positive actions by the government in reducing air pollution.
Conclusion
- Scientific approach is required to address air quality issues in a sustainable manner through airshed approach.