Article Title: Delhi most polluted capital in the world - Report
12-03-2025
Environment & Ecology Prelims Plus
Context
Thirteen of the world’s 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.
Four cities in Pakistan and one in China are among the top 20 polluted cities.
The report said India saw a 7% decline in PM2.5 concentrations in 2024, averaging 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre (mgpcm), compared to 54.4 mgpcm in 2023.
The air pollution in Delhi has worsened, with the annual average PM2.5 concentration rising from 102.4 mgpcm in 2023 to 108.3 mgpcm in 2024.
Delhi grapples with high air pollution year-round and the problem worsens in winter when unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicular emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources, make the air quality hazardous.
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