Varanasi leads the way with a 76.4% reduction, followed by Moradabad and Kanpur, while challenges persist across cities in north India
New Delhi : As the country marks the sixth anniversary of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), cities in India have recorded a 27% average reduction in PM2.5 levels from 2019 to 2024, according to a report released by Respirer Living Sciences on Tuesday.
The study using data from Respirer’s AtlasAQ Platform reveals that NCAP cities alone saw a 24% reduction, signalling progress in the fight against air pollution. However, the national capital, Delhi (107 µg/m³), and Byrnihat (127.3 µg/m³) in Assam were among the most polluted in 2024, along with Gurugram (96.7 µg/m³), Faridabad (87.1 µg/m³), Sri Ganganagar (85.5 µg/m³), and Greater Noida (83.9 µg/m³), highlighting areas that need urgent attention. Other cities in the top 10 include Muzaffarnagar (83.2 µg/m³), Durgapur (82.0 µg/m³), Asansol (80.3 µg/m³), and Ghaziabad (79.9 µg/m³), emphasizing the need for targeted interventions in northern and eastern India.
“India’s air quality story is a mix of hope and caution,” said Ronak Sutaria, Founder of Respirer Living Sciences. “While cities like Varanasi achieved a remarkable 76.4% reduction, northern regions, including Delhi NCR, Rajasthan, Haryana and parts of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, still face severe pollution episodes.”
Highlights of 2024 Air Quality Performance
● Nationwide progress: Air quality improved significantly, with a 27% decline in PM2.5 levels across all cities monitored since 2019.
● Top performers: Cities like Varanasi and Moradabademerged as success stories, reducing PM2.5 levels by 76%and 58%, respectively. Other notable achievers include Kalaburagi (57.2% reduction), Meerut (57.1% reduction), Katni (56.3%), and Agra (54.1%), showcasing the impact of localised interventions. Cities like Baghpat (53.3%), Kanpur (51.2%), and Jodhpur (50.5%) also recorded significant improvements, reflecting the success of coordinated efforts under NCAP and regional initiatives.
● Most polluted cities: Byrnihat (127.3 µg/m³) and Delhi (107 µg/m³) remain at the top of the list of India’s most polluted cities in 2024.
● Regional trends: Southern and western cities showed consistent improvements, while northern cities, including Faridabad, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad, continue to struggle with poor air quality.
“Targeted action and local interventions are critical to tackling pollution hotspots like Byrnihat and Delhi,” added Sutaria. “We need to double down on efforts to meet the NCAP’s ambitious 40% reduction target by 2026.”
NCAP Targets: Progress and Challenges
Launched in January 2019, the NCAP set out to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20-30% by 2024, later revising this goal to a 40% reduction by 2026. While progress has been made, challenges remain:
1. Limited monitoring infrastructure: Gaps in air quality monitoring leave smaller cities underserved and underrepresented in national data.
2. Policy enforcement gaps: Despite stricter regulations, industrial and vehicular emissions continue to pose significant challenges in high-pollution zones.
3. Seasonal pollution episodes: Events like stubble burning, industrial pollution and winter smog exacerbate pollution levels in northern states.
“There’s no time to lose,” Sutaria said. “Achieving NCAP’s 2026 targets requires sustained effort, stronger compliance, and innovative solutions tailored to India’s unique challenges.”
