Delhi has once again earned the unenviable title of “India’s most polluted city” in October 2024, as revealed by a study conducted by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Despite implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution from October 15, the capital’s monthly average PM2.5 level soared to 111 µg/m³—its highest since 2021. Alongside Delhi, cities like Ghaziabad, Noida, and Gurgaon also ranked among the nation’s most polluted hotspots.
Stubble Burning Only a Small Factor in Delhi’s Pollution
CREA’s analysis shows that stubble burning contributed only about 10% of Delhi’s PM2.5 levels in October, with transboundary pollution accounting for an overwhelming 60-70% of the city’s air quality issues. Manoj Kumar, an analyst with CREA, emphasized the importance of long-term pollution control strategies, noting that constant pollution sources like transport, power plants, and industries in surrounding regions contribute significantly to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality.
However, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the impact of stubble burning spiked after October 21, increasing its contribution to daily PM2.5 levels. Experts believe that more attention needs to be placed on local pollution sources, such as vehicular emissions, construction dust, and biomass burning, which consistently elevate pollution levels throughout the year.
Local Pollution Sources Still Uncontrolled, Say Experts
Sunil Dahiya, Founder and Lead Analyst at Envirocatalysts, highlighted that existing pollution sources within the city and neighboring areas remain insufficiently controlled. He pointed to ongoing emissions from vehicles, power plants, and brick kilns in Ghaziabad and Sonepat, as well as dust from construction sites, as key contributors to the pollution in Delhi-NCR. Dahiya emphasized the need for a more holistic approach to tackle these persistent sources of pollution.
Air Quality in Delhi: Alarming October Stats
October was a challenging month for Delhi residents as the city recorded only 9 ‘Good’ days, while pollution escalated to ‘Poor’ (91-120 µg/m³) for 4 days and reached ‘Very Poor’ (121-250 µg/m³) levels on 14 days. In comparison to September’s average of 43 µg/m³, October’s average was a staggering 2.5 times higher, reflecting a severe dip in air quality.
NCR Cities Rank Among India’s Most Polluted
Several cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) joined Delhi on the list of the top 10 most polluted hotspots in the country. Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Meerut, Charkhi Dadri, Greater Noida, and Bahadurgarh recorded some of the highest pollution levels. Uttar Pradesh alone dominated the list, with six cities among the top 10 most polluted, followed by two cities from Haryana and one from Bihar.
India’s Cleanest Cities: Aizawl Takes the Lead
While North India battles high pollution, the city of Aizawl in Mizoram emerged as India’s cleanest city in October, recording a monthly average PM2.5 level of just 6 µg/m³. Other clean cities included locations from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with all cities in peninsular states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra—ranking in either ‘Good’ or ‘Satisfactory’ AQI categories.
Broader Picture: India’s Pollution Landscape
In October 2024, CREA’s data showed a varied picture of air quality across India. While 79 cities maintained a ‘Good’ (0-30 µg/m³) AQI score, 135 cities were classified as ‘Satisfactory’ (31-60 µg/m³), 44 cities fell in the ‘Moderate’ (61-90 µg/m³) range, and five cities were labeled as ‘Poor’ (91-150 µg/m³). These statistics reveal stark regional differences in air quality, with North Indian cities facing the most severe pollution levels.
Addressing Delhi’s Pollution Crisis
The CREA report serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need for year-round pollution control measures in Delhi and surrounding regions. With local sources like transport, industry, and construction contributing heavily to pollution levels, experts are calling for sustained action beyond temporary fixes. As the capital heads into winter—a season notorious for worsening air quality—the focus must be on implementing comprehensive strategies to ensure cleaner air for its residents.
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