World · India Bureau
India dominates global air pollution rankings as Delhi slips down list
Thirteen of the world's twenty most polluted cities are located in India, though the capital Delhi has fallen outside the top twenty worst-affected urban centres. The finding underscores the persistent air quality crisis across multiple Indian metropolitan areas.
LSN India ·
India continues to grapple with severe air pollution challenges, with new data showing that the majority of the world's most polluted cities are concentrated within its borders. A significant shift in rankings has seen Delhi, traditionally synonymous with hazardous air quality, drop out of the top twenty most polluted cities globally.
The dominance of Indian cities in global pollution metrics reflects the scale of the environmental crisis facing the nation's urban centres. Factors contributing to elevated pollution levels include vehicular emissions, industrial activity, agricultural burning, and seasonal meteorological conditions that trap pollutants in the atmosphere.
The presence of thirteen Indian cities among the twenty most polluted represents a critical public health concern, with residents facing heightened risks of respiratory diseases and other pollution-related ailments. Air quality experts attribute the widespread contamination to rapid urbanisation, inadequate emission controls, and cross-border pollution sources.
Despite implementing various anti-pollution measures, including vehicle restrictions and industrial regulations, many Indian cities continue to breach international air quality standards. The shifting positions within global rankings, including Delhi's relative improvement, suggest that localised interventions in some areas may be yielding results, though systemic challenges remain across the broader region.