Thirteen of the world’s top 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat in Assam 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, down from third in 2023.

The report said India saw a 7 per cent decline in PM2.5 concentrations in 2024, averaging 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre, compared to 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. Yet, six of the world’s 10 most polluted cities are in India.

Delhi recorded consistently high pollution levels, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly unchanged from 92.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023.

The 13 Indian cities in the world’s top 20 most polluted cities are Byrnihat, Delhi, Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad, Loni, New Delhi, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh and Noida.

Overall, 35 per cent of the Indian cities reported annual PM2.5 levels exceeding 10 times the WHO limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

Air pollution remains a serious health risk in India, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years.

According to a Lancet Planetary Health study published last year, about 1.5 million deaths in India every year from 2009 to 2019 were potentially linked to long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution.

PM2.5 refers to tiny air pollution particles smaller than 2.5 microns, which can enter the lungs and bloodstream, leading to breathing problems, heart disease and even cancer. Sources include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and the burning of wood or crop waste.

Former WHO chief scientist and health ministry advisor Soumya Swaminathan said India has made progress in air quality data collection but lacks sufficient action.

“We have the data; now we need action. Some solutions are easy like replacing biomass with LPG. India already has a scheme for this, but we must further subsidize additional cylinders. The first cylinder is free, but the poorest families, especially women, should receive higher subsidies. This will improve their health and reduce outdoor air pollution,” she told PTI in an interview.

In cities, expanding public transport and imposing fines on certain cars could help. “A mix of incentives and penalties is necessary,” she said.

“Finally, strict enforcement of emission laws is crucial. Industries and construction sites must comply with regulations and install equipment to cut emissions instead of taking shortcuts,” the former director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research added. PTI GVS AS

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

In a big action days after an Israeli tourist was gang-raped near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi in Karnataka, cops have increased night patrolling and started raiding hotels, assuring better security amid a reported outflow of foreign tourists.

Koppal Superintendent of Police L Arasiddi held random checks for drugs at homestays and resorts in Basapura, Anegundi, and Sanapur area, and verified their documents.

Cops have also asked resort and homestay owners to follow some security protocols for the safety of tourists, especially the foreigners. They have been strictly asked to install CCTV cameras and inform the local police station about foreign tourists visiting their place, he said.

“They (foreign tourists) need to compulsorily fill form C and share the details of visa, passport, and submit passport size photos to the nearest local police station,” he told news agency PTI.

Barricades have been erected for vehicle checks and highway patrolling vehicles have been doubled. To ensure better security during the late hours, an inspector-level officer will be on night rounds in the Anegundi and Sanapur areas, added the senior officer.

Cops have also asked homestay owners to advise their guests not to step out during the night in view of animal attacks in the past.

The gang-rape of the Israeli woman and a homestay owner by three men had last week sparked security concerns among the tourists. Another traveller from Odisha was found dead after he was pushed into a canal by the accused during the confrontation.

The incident occurred late Thursday night when the travellers were stargazing near the canal in Koppal district. Cops have arrested all three suspects in the case.

The gang-rape sparked fear among the foreigners and many reportedly left Hampi despite an assurance from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that the state government was committed to providing security to the tourists.

“Our government is committed to providing protection to everyone, including tourists, coming to the state. All necessary measures will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” the Chief Minister has assured.

At least one person is killed in the overnight attack involving at least 73 drones, local officials say. 

​At least one person is killed in the overnight attack involving at least 73 drones, local officials say.