During the winter season of 2025-26, air quality in India reached alarming levels, with a staggering 204 out of 238 cities exceeding the national standard for PM2.5, a harmful pollutant. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), analyzed by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the most affected areas saw average PM2.5 concentrations far beyond the permissible limit of 40 µg/m³. Ghaziabad emerged as the most polluted city, recording an alarming average of 172 µg/m³. This was followed closely by Noida at 166 µg/m³ and the national capital, Delhi, at 163 µg/m³.
Greater Noida ranked fourth in pollution severity, with Bahadurgarh, Dharuhera, Gurugram, Bhiwadi, Charkhi Dadri, and Baghpat following in the list of the top ten most polluted cities. The findings reveal a concerning trend, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, which each accounted for four cities in the top ten. Additionally, the analysis identified one city from Rajasthan also facing severe pollution.
PM2.5 consists of fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, posing significant health risks, including respiratory diseases. The CREA report highlighted that not a single city studied met the World Health Organization’s stringent PM2.5 standard of 5 µg/m³, emphasizing the urgent need for improved air quality management.
Among India’s major urban centers, Delhi continued to grapple with poor air quality, alongside Kolkata (78 µg/m³), Mumbai (48 µg/m³), and Chennai (44 µg/m³), all exceeding the national air quality standards. Bengaluru presented a slight reprieve with an average of 39 µg/m³, hovering just below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Amid the grim statistics, Chamarajanagar in Karnataka stood out as the cleanest city in India, boasting an average PM2.5 concentration of just 19 µg/m³. The top ten cleanest cities predominantly featured locations from Karnataka, with additional representation from Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya.
The analysis utilized data from Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) operated by the CPCB, covering the period from October 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026. With air pollution becoming an increasingly pressing issue in India, these findings underscore the need for immediate actions to tackle deteriorating air quality and to protect public health.
As cities struggle with pollution levels that affect millions, comprehensive policies and community involvement are essential to combat this ongoing crisis. The alarming statistics from the winter of 2025-26 serve as a wake-up call for both policymakers and citizens, highlighting the urgency of addressing air quality as a fundamental public health issue. The implications are clear: without significant changes, India’s air quality woes are likely to persist, endangering the health of its population and straining the country’s resources.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/204-of-238-indian-cities-did-not-meet-air-quality-standards-crea/article70712544.ece
Category : India
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Publish Date: 2026-03-07 03:28:00
