Air pollution tightens grip across India with Byrnihat in Meghalaya as world’s most polluted city

IQAir report puts India among five most polluted countries in 2024

Air pollution in India is no longer limited to large metros in northern and central India. Instead, it has taken a vice-like hold all over the country as India ranks as the fifth most polluted country in 2024, with 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities. Byrnihat in Meghalaya is the most polluted globally, while Delhi remains the worst capital, says a report by IQAir.

For the sixth consecutive year, Delhi has been named the world’s most polluted national capital, according to the World Air Quality Report by Swiss monitoring company IQAir. The report also reveals that 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat in Meghalaya ranking as the most polluted city globally.

The grim report, which analysed data from 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 138 countries, found that the most polluted city in the world is Byrnihat, a small industrial town on the Assam-Meghalaya border. Byrnihat recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), far exceeding the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended limit of 5 µg/m3.

Despite a slight improvement from 2023, India continues to be one of the world’s most polluted countries, ranking fifth globally with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 50.6 µg/m3. The four most polluted countries were Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Congo. PM2.5 pollution, which originates from sources like fossil fuel combustion, industrial emissions, and crop burning, is known to cause severe health issues, including respiratory diseases, heart attacks, strokes and even chronic kidney disease.

Delhi, the most polluted capital, recorded an annual PM2.5 level of 91.6 µg/m3 in 2024, only marginally lower than 92.7 µg/m3 in 2023. While the city’s pollution levels remain alarmingly high, the broader northern belt of India has witnessed particularly hazardous air quality episodes. The report highlighted that January saw extremely poor air quality in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, while November brought severe pollution across Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

One of the major contributors to air pollution in India remains crop stubble burning, particularly in northern states. The practice, largely undertaken in Punjab and Haryana during the winter months, accounted for nearly 60 pc of pollution during peak periods, according to the report. In addition, vehicular emissions, industrial discharges and construction dust continue to fuel the crisis.

The report painted a stark picture of global air quality. In 2024, the majority of the world’s population was exposed to dangerously high levels of PM2.5 pollution. Only 12 countries, regions and territories managed to keep their PM2.5 levels below the WHO’s recommended annual average. Most of these were in Latin America, the Caribbean, or the Oceania region. In contrast, cities in India, Kazakhstan, Chad, Pakistan and China exceeded WHO guidelines more than 10-fold.

Globally, only 17 pc of the 8,954 cities analysed in the report had air quality that met WHO’s PM2.5 standards. The rest struggled with varying degrees of pollution, highlighting the widespread nature of the crisis.

Government measures and their efficacy

In response to Delhi’s chronic air pollution, authorities have implemented several measures over the years, including the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), restrictions on industrial activities, curbs on construction, and the odd-even traffic scheme. Additionally, investments in public transport and electric vehicles have been promoted to tackle vehicular emissions. However, the report suggests that these efforts have yielded only marginal improvements.

The central and state governments have also launched initiatives to curb stubble burning, such as providing subsidies for eco-friendly machinery like the Happy Seeder and encouraging farmers to adopt alternative practices. Yet, enforcement remains weak, and many farmers continue to rely on traditional burning due to economic constraints.

Experts argue that a more integrated, long-term approach is required to tackle the problem effectively. Strengthening air quality monitoring networks, enforcing stricter emission regulations, and investing in sustainable urban planning are crucial steps that need immediate attention.

The human cost of pollution

Beyond the statistics, air pollution has devastating health and economic consequences for millions of Indians. A study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) found that prolonged exposure to high levels of PM2.5 pollution can reduce life expectancy by more than nine years in heavily affected regions like Delhi.

Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Rising cases of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments among schoolchildren in Delhi and other northern cities have been widely reported. Hospitals often experience a surge in patients during the winter months, when pollution levels peak.

“The reality is grim, air pollution is not just an environmental issue; it is a public health crisis. If we do not act decisively, we are condemning millions to a lifetime of disease and suffering,” Arkam Ilyas, an environmental activist based in Delhi tells Media India Group.

“As India continues to urbanise and industrialise at a rapid pace, addressing the air quality crisis will require strong political will, greater investment in clean energy, and a shift in public behaviour. Until then, Delhi and many other cities across the country will remain under a toxic haze, putting the health of millions at risk,” Ilyas adds.