Choking on Change: Assessing India's Air Pollution Battle

The World Air Quality Report 2024 reveals that 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat leading. Despite a slight air quality improvement, India's pollution remains a serious health threat. Experts urge stronger government policies and better public transport to address pollution issues effectively.

Thirteen of the world's twenty most polluted cities are located in India, with Byrnihat in Assam topping the list, according to the recently released World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss company IQAir.

Though India, the world's fifth most polluted country in 2024, showed an improvement from its rank in 2023, air quality continues to pose significant health risks. The annual PM2.5 concentration in Delhi, for instance, has worsened from 102.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 to 108.3 micrograms in 2024.

Experts including Soumya Swaminathan advocate for stricter pollution control measures, citing vehicular emissions and industrial activities as primary pollution sources. Greenpeace’s Avinash Chanchal calls for stronger investment in public transport, while Vivek Agarwal urges a comprehensive regulatory overhaul, criticizing existing policies as insufficient.