Air pollution in India - statistics & facts
Air pollution is one of the greatest threats to human health on the planet, and few countries are more exposed to its devastating effects than India. Consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted countries, India has long suffered high levels of air pollution that are responsible for well over one million premature deaths each year, as well as significant economic damage. To address this pressing issue, India declared a “war against air pollution” in 2019 in a bid to improve air quality, protect the public’s health, and ensure the well-being of future generations. But can India win its war against this invisible enemy?
Regularly topping the list of the world’s most polluted capital cities, New Delhi often experiences dangerously high levels of PM2.5, with stubble burning being a major contributor, particularly during the winter months. Other major sources of air pollution in India include fossil fuel combustion from industrial activities, coal-fired power generation, vehicle emissions, road dust, waste burning, and household combustion.
More action will be required going forward if India is to improve air quality and provide its population with clean, safe, and breathable air. This would entail setting more ambitious targets, improving air quality monitoring systems, and enforcing air pollution controls. India has committed to ending burning crop residue and is already rapidly expanding its clean energy use. Electricity-based transportation is also being promoted by offering various incentives. Nevertheless, it is clear that air pollution in India will remain a problem for the foreseeable future.
Air quality in cities in India
Nearly the entire population of India is exposed to hazardous air quality, with thick clouds of smog blanketing populated cities and rural areas alike. India's annual levels of PM2.5, the most harmful air pollutant, average roughly 55 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³) each year, more than 10 times above the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of five µg/m³. However, many of the country's cities are exposed to far worse concentrations. The northeastern city of Begusarai, for example, recorded average PM2.5 levels almost 25 times above WHO limits in 2023, making it not only the most polluted city in India that year, but also the most polluted metropolitan area in the world. In fact, 21 of the 25 world’s most polluted cities in 2023 were in India, including the nation’s capital, New Delhi.Regularly topping the list of the world’s most polluted capital cities, New Delhi often experiences dangerously high levels of PM2.5, with stubble burning being a major contributor, particularly during the winter months. Other major sources of air pollution in India include fossil fuel combustion from industrial activities, coal-fired power generation, vehicle emissions, road dust, waste burning, and household combustion.
What is being done to address air pollution in India?
To tackle the scourge of air pollution, India’s government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019 with the target of reducing levels of key pollutants by 20 to 30 percent by 2024, relative to 2017. However, despite the government releasing billions in funding for controlling air pollution, the NCAP has not been as successful as intended. Most major cities failed to curb air pollution by the desired amounts during this time, with levels in some, like Mumbai, increasing by almost 40 percent.More action will be required going forward if India is to improve air quality and provide its population with clean, safe, and breathable air. This would entail setting more ambitious targets, improving air quality monitoring systems, and enforcing air pollution controls. India has committed to ending burning crop residue and is already rapidly expanding its clean energy use. Electricity-based transportation is also being promoted by offering various incentives. Nevertheless, it is clear that air pollution in India will remain a problem for the foreseeable future.
