World Air Quality Report 2024: India Among Top 5 Most Polluted Countries

New Delhi: The World Air Quality Report 2024, published by Swiss air monitoring company IQAir, has once again brought global attention to the escalating air pollution crisis. The report reveals that India ranks as the fifth most polluted country in the world, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 50.6 μg/m³—ten times higher than the World Health Organization‘s recommended limit. Additionally, 13 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India, with Byrnihat, located on the Assam-Meghalaya border, being the most polluted city globally. Delhi retains its position as the most polluted capital in the world, recording a PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 μg/m³.

Air pollution remains a significant challenge worldwide, severely impacting public health, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability. The findings of this report stress the urgent need for stricter environmental regulations, global cooperation, and innovative technological solutions to combat rising pollution levels. Addressing air pollution requires multi-faceted efforts involving government policies, industry reforms, and community participation.

Air Pollution in India: A Growing Crisis

India’s air pollution crisis is driven by a combination of industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, biomass burning, and construction activities. The country’s rapid economic growth, coupled with a population of over 1.4 billion, has led to increased energy consumption and urban expansion. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata suffer from deteriorating air quality, with pollution levels spiking during winter due to meteorological factors that trap pollutants close to the ground.

Byrnihat, the most polluted city in the world, recorded an annual PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 μg/m³, making air quality in the region hazardous. Other highly polluted Indian cities include Mullanpur, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Noida, all of which report dangerously high pollution levels. Crop stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana remains a major contributor to the toxic smog that engulfs northern India during the winter months. The practice, coupled with vehicular emissions and industrial pollution, leads to air quality deteriorating to severe levels, causing widespread health issues and economic losses.

Global Air Pollution Trends and India’s Position

The World Air Quality Report 2024 identifies Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo as the most polluted countries globally, with India ranking fifth. Chad recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 μg/m³, while Bangladesh and Pakistan reported levels of 78 μg/m³ and 73.7 μg/m³, respectively. Despite being among the worst-affected nations, India witnessed a slight improvement in air quality compared to 2023, when it ranked third in the world. However, the progress is marginal and insufficient to meet WHO air quality guidelines.

Globally, air pollution is a major public health issue, with 99% of the world’s population breathing air that exceeds WHO’s recommended PM2.5 limit of 5 μg/m³. Only 17% of global cities meet the WHO’s air pollution standards, with regions in Europe, North America, and Oceania exhibiting relatively cleaner air due to stringent environmental regulations and advancements in renewable energy.

Health and Environmental Impact of Air Pollution

The consequences of air pollution are severe and far-reaching. According to estimates, air pollution was responsible for 2.1 million deaths in India in 2021. Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 pollutants is associated with respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and reduced lung function, particularly affecting children and the elderly. Studies indicate that air pollution shortens life expectancy in India by an average of 5.2 years.

Beyond its health impact, air pollution contributes to environmental degradation. Pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) lead to acid rain, which damages crops, contaminates water sources, and disrupts ecosystems. Particulate matter also contributes to soil degradation, reducing agricultural productivity. The economic burden of pollution is substantial, with increased healthcare costs and loss of labor productivity affecting the nation’s GDP.

Causes of Air Pollution in India

India’s air pollution crisis is caused by multiple factors, including industrial activities, fossil fuel combustion, and waste mismanagement. The primary sources of pollution include:

1. Vehicular Emissions: India has one of the largest road transport networks in the world, with millions of vehicles running on fossil fuels. Traffic congestion and outdated diesel-powered vehicles contribute significantly to high pollution levels.
2. Industrial Pollution: Factories, power plants, and refineries emit large amounts of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and other toxic pollutants. Cities like Byrnihat, which house numerous industries, suffer from consistently poor air quality.
3. Crop Stubble Burning: Despite government bans, farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh continue to burn crop residue, leading to hazardous smog in northern India.
4. Construction Dust: Unregulated urban expansion generates enormous amounts of dust and particulate matter, further degrading air quality in metropolitan areas.
5. Waste Burning: Open burning of plastic and solid waste in urban and rural areas adds to the pollution crisis, releasing dioxins and other toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

Government Initiatives to Combat Air Pollution

The Indian government has launched several initiatives to curb pollution, but their implementation remains a challenge. Some of the key policies include:

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched in 2019, this initiative aims to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20-30% by 2024 compared to 2017 levels. It focuses on expanding air quality monitoring networks and encouraging pollution control measures.
• Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) Emission Standards: Implemented in 2020, these stricter vehicle emission norms have significantly reduced sulfur content in fuels, leading to cleaner emissions.
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) Scheme: This scheme promotes electric vehicle (EV) adoption through subsidies and incentives.
• Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Enforced in Delhi-NCR, GRAP introduces emergency measures, such as restrictions on construction activities and vehicle usage, when air quality deteriorates.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): This initiative encourages households to switch from biomass-based cooking methods to cleaner LPG alternatives.
• Expansion of Public Transport: Investments in metro projects, electric buses, and cycling infrastructure aim to reduce dependency on private vehicles.

Challenges in Addressing Air Pollution

Despite numerous policies, air pollution remains a critical issue due to weak enforcement, lack of coordination between states, and limited public awareness. Many pollution control measures exist only on paper, with little accountability at the implementation level. Political differences between state governments hinder collaborative efforts to address stubble burning and industrial emissions. Additionally, the absence of widespread air quality monitoring systems in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities makes it difficult to track real-time pollution data and implement timely interventions.

Public participation is another crucial challenge. Many citizens continue to engage in pollution-generating activities, such as waste burning and the use of outdated vehicles. A lack of awareness about the health risks associated with air pollution further exacerbates the problem.

The Road Ahead: Strategies for Cleaner Air

To effectively combat air pollution, a multi-pronged approach is required. Stricter enforcement of existing policies, along with the introduction of innovative solutions, is necessary. Some potential strategies include:

• Strengthening Policy Implementation: Authorities must ensure better compliance with pollution control laws and introduce harsher penalties for violators.
• Investment in Clean Energy: Accelerating the transition from coal-based power plants to renewable energy sources like solar and wind is essential.
• Urban Planning Reforms: Cities should implement green infrastructure projects, such as afforestation programs and vertical gardens, to absorb pollutants.
• Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring: Expanding monitoring networks across smaller cities and towns will provide better data for decision-making.
• Community Awareness Programs: Educating citizens about pollution control practices will encourage behavioral changes at the grassroots level.

Conclusion

The World Air Quality Report 2024 highlights the urgency of addressing India’s air pollution crisis. While government initiatives have made some progress, their impact remains limited due to weak enforcement and lack of coordination. A comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach involving government agencies, industries, and the public is necessary to improve air quality and protect future generations. Without decisive action, the consequences of air pollution will continue to affect public health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

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