Tue Mar 11 05:14:35 UTC 2025: ## Indian Cities Top Global Air Pollution List, Despite Slight Improvement
**New Delhi, March 11, 2025** – A new report reveals that thirteen of the world’s twenty most polluted cities are located in India, with Byrnihat in Assam taking the unenviable top spot. The World Air Quality Report 2024, published by IQAir, highlights the ongoing air pollution crisis despite a reported 7% decrease in average PM2.5 concentrations nationwide in 2024.
While India’s overall ranking dropped to fifth most polluted country globally (down from third in 2023), the report underscores the severity of the problem within its cities. Delhi, for example, saw its annual average PM2.5 concentration rise, retaining its title as the world’s most polluted capital city. Other Indian cities featured in the top 20 include Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad, Loni, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh, and Noida. A staggering 35% of Indian cities exceeded the World Health Organization’s PM2.5 limit by a factor of ten.
The report attributes Byrnihat’s high pollution levels to emissions from local factories, including distilleries and steel plants. Delhi’s persistent air pollution is exacerbated by seasonal factors such as unfavorable weather conditions and activities like paddy straw burning.
The health consequences are significant. Air pollution is estimated to reduce life expectancy in India by 5.2 years, with a Lancet study linking approximately 1.5 million annual deaths (2009-2019) to long-term PM2.5 exposure.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO chief scientist, emphasizes the need for action despite improvements in data collection. She advocates for solutions such as increased LPG subsidies, expanding public transport, stricter emission enforcement, and penalties for polluting vehicles. The urgent call is for a combined approach of incentives and penalties to effectively tackle this persistent public health crisis.
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