The World Air Quality Report 2024, published by IQAir,
highlights alarming pollution levels in India, with 13 out of the 20
most polluted cities globally located within the country.
Byrnihat (Assam) has been identified as the most polluted city
in the world, while Delhi retains its status as the most polluted
capital. India’s overall air pollution ranking improved, dropping
from third place in 2023 to fifth in 2024.
Key Findings from the World Air Quality Report 2024
The Swiss air quality technology firm IQAir released the 2024
report, which is based on data from over 40,000 air monitoring
stations across 138 countries, territories, and regions. The
analysis was conducted by IQAir’s air quality experts.
Major Sources of Pollution
- Crop stubble burning contributed 60% of PM2.5 pollution during peak periods.
- Vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and construction dust were also significant contributors.
Air Pollution: A Global Concern
Global Exposure to Poor Air Quality
- In 2024, a significant portion of the global population was exposed to unsafe air pollution levels.
- Only 12 countries, regions, and territories met the WHO-recommended PM2.5 threshold of 5 µg/m³—primarily in Latin
America, the Caribbean, and Oceania.
Most Polluted Countries (Annual Average PM2.5 Levels)
- Chad – 91.8 µg/m³
- Bangladesh – 78 µg/m³
- Pakistan – 73.7 µg/m³
- Congo – 58.2 µg/m³
- India – 50.6 µg/m³
Serious Air Quality Violations
- Only 17% of the 8,954 cities worldwide met WHO’s PM2.5 guidelines.
- The 20 most polluted cities, spanning India, Kazakhstan, Chad, Pakistan, and China, recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding
WHO limits by more than 10 times.
Challenges in Pollution Control & Future Measures
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Progress & Setbacks
- Launched in 2019, the NCAP was designed to curb pollution levels.
- However, the report underscores ongoing challenges, such as gaps in policy implementation and lack of adequate
infrastructure.
The Need for Stronger Action
- Experts argue that despite Delhi’s adoption of BS-VI fuel and advanced transportation policies, weak enforcement has
resulted in consistently high pollution levels. - Analysts stress that while policies exist on paper, systematic execution is lacking.
- Strengthening the NCAP, enforcing sustainable pollution control measures, and enhancing governance are crucial for
long-term improvements.