India's Air Pollution Crisis: 13 Cities Among World's Top 20 Most Polluted

India's battle with air pollution has reached alarming levels, as highlighted by a recent study. The World Air Quality Report 2024 by IQAir has revealed that an overwhelming majority of the world's most polluted cities are located in India. Specifically, 13 Indian cities have made it onto the list of the top 20 most polluted cities globally, with Byrnihat in Assam claiming the dubious distinction of being at the very top. This stark finding underscores the widespread environmental challenges facing the nation.

Air pollution in India has emerged as a critical health hazard, significantly diminishing the quality of life and reducing the average lifespan by approximately 5.2 years. According to a study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, air pollution was responsible for an estimated 1.5 million deaths in India annually over a decade from 2009 to 2019. These deaths were attributed to long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, that penetrates deep into lung tissue and enters the bloodstream, causing various health issues.

The cities of Delhi, Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad, Loni, New Delhi, Gurugram, Ganganagar, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Muzaffarnagar, Hanumangarh, and Noida are also featured on this list, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue across the country. Notably, Delhi has the unfortunate status of being named the world's most polluted capital city. This situation is a clear indicator of the urgent need for intervention to mitigate air pollution across India.

A staggering 19 out of the 20 cities with the highest pollution levels are located in Asia, according to the same report. This demonstrates that air pollution is not just an Indian issue but a broader Asian dilemma, necessitating collective action at a regional level. Furthermore, the report reveals that 35% of Indian cities have annual PM 2.5 levels that exceed the World Health Organization's limit by ten times. This finding highlights the severity of air pollution in India and the critical need for immediate and effective action to combat this issue.

The dire state of air quality in India calls for a comprehensive and sustained effort to address pollution sources. It is crucial for policymakers, environmentalists, and the general public to come together to implement and adhere to measures that can significantly reduce pollution levels. Only through concerted action can India hope to improve its air quality and safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens.