Byrnihat Tops Global Pollution List Again, Delhi Most Polluted Capital City: Report

NEW DELHI: Thirteen of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat topping the list, according to a new report published on Tuesday.

The World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir said Delhi remains the most polluted capital city globally, while India ranked as the world’s fifth most polluted country in 2024, marking an improvement from its third rank in 2023. The average PM2.5 concentration in India declined by 7% from 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 to 50.6 in 2024.

However, the improvement is far from sufficient, as 35% of Indian cities recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding 10 times the World Health Organization’s safety limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

Byrnihat, a town on the Meghalaya-Assam border, has attributed its severe pollution levels to emissions from local industries, including distilleries and iron and steel plants.

Delhi’s pollution crisis has worsened, with the annual average PM2.5 concentration rising from 102.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 to 108.3 in 2024. The city’s air quality deteriorates further during winter due to a combination of vehicular emissions, crop burning, firecrackers, and unfavorable weather conditions.

Other Indian cities among the top 20 most polluted globally include Mullanpur, Faridabad, Gurugram, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, and Muzaffarnagar.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya seeks NCTE exemption to enhance teacher training

ALSO WATCH: