Delhi ranks as India’s second most polluted city in 2024: Report

New Delhi: High levels of pollution rank Delhi as India’s second most polluted city after Byrnihat in Assam, recording an annual average PM2.5 level of 107 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in 2024. Meanwhile, Byrnihat recorded 127.3 µg/m³, as per a report titled “Towards Clear Skies 2025 by Respirer Living Sciences. Other metropolitan cities like Kolkata and Chennai have made substantial progress as far as decreasing pollution levels is concerned.

Both the cities successfully reduced the air pollution by 21.5% and 9.2%, respectively, from 2019 to 2024. However, Delhi managed to decrease only 1.3%. Several regions of the national capital recorded dangerous PM2.5 levels above 120 µg/m³. In comparison to Mumbai, Delhi’s pollution levels are three times higher than Mumbai’s and Bengaluru’s.

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Despite all the efforts made by the Delhi government as well as the Centre, the air quality of the city remains ‘poor.’ Several key contributors that boost Delhi’s air pollution: Vehicles PM2.5 emissions, dust from construction, and stubble burning during the beginning of winter months led to pollution as well.

The study revealed that several steps need to be taken, such as the implementation of strict dust control measures, control on private vehicles, and control on unnecessary burning. There is a need for structural changes to control pollution levels in the city. The report is a wake-up call for the pollution control departments; they need to make comprehensive strategies.