Delhi Ranked as Most Polluted City in India Amid Growing Air Quality Crisis

Delhi : Delhi has emerged as the most polluted city in India, according to the Air Quality Analysis Report by Respirer Living Sciences. The report, which examined PM2.5 levels across 281 Indian cities between November 3 and 16, places Delhi at the bottom of the rankings with a dangerously high average PM2.5 level of 243.3 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). This marks a 19.5% increase in pollution levels week-on-week.

PM2.5, which refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, is a major health concern as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. This year, Delhi’s pollution spike is particularly concerning as it comes earlier than usual—typically, pollution levels of this severity are seen between mid-December and February, but this year’s trend has raised alarms about the worsening situation.

The worsening air quality is largely attributed to a combination of factors: vehicular emissions, industrial output, stubble burning, and the seasonal onset of winter, which traps pollutants closer to the ground due to cooler temperatures and reduced wind speeds. Along with Delhi, several northern states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, also recorded hazardous air quality levels.

For comparison, southern and northeastern cities like Imphal (Manipur) and Ariyalur (Tamil Nadu) have much lower PM2.5 levels, benefiting from more favorable geography, better local interventions, and lower industrial activity.

Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) also reached a critical level of 371, which falls under the “severe” category. Authorities have already imposed measures to combat the pollution, but the ongoing crisis remains a significant public health concern.