Delhi was adjudged the most polluted city in India in the past year despite its air quality seeing marginal improvement.

According to a study by independent think tank Climate Trends and tech firm Respirer Living Sciences, the concentration of PM2.5 was the highest in Delhi with 100.1 micrograms per cubic metre, which is three times more than the government's safe limit.

On the other hand, Manipur registered India's cleanest air with a PM2.5 level of only 11.1 micrograms per cubic metre.

PM2.5 is an umbrella term used to describe fine inhalable chemical particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometres and smaller.

While PM2.5 is more likely to travel into and deposit on the surface of the deeper parts of the lung, PM10 is more likely to deposit on the surfaces of the larger airways of the upper region of the lung.

Particles deposited on the lung surface can induce tissue damage and lung inflammation.

<h2>Report covers cities under NCAP</h2>

The report is based on the analysis of the government's PM2.5 data from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, and focuses on the cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme, which aims to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in particulate matter concentration by 2026.

The study further noted that the cities surrounding Delhi, which are part of the National Capital Region, too recorded their worst air quality.

Faridabad (89 micrograms per cubic metre), Noida (79.1 micrograms per cubic metre), Ghaziabad (78.3 micrograms per cubic metre) and Meerut (76.9 micrograms per cubic metre) featured among the top 10 most polluted cities.

After Delhi, the second most polluted city was Patna in Bihar, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 99.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Notably, the city’s air quality deteriorated by 24 per cent compared to the previous year.

<h2>Cities with worst pollution&nbsp;part of the Indo-Gangetic Plains</h2>

The top seven polluted cities are Delhi, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Faridabad, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Meerut—all part of the Indo-Gangetic Plains—the report noted.

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"The analysis reflects that there has been improvement in the Indo-Gangetic Plain cities over the last few years. However, considering the enormous pollution load, these cities continue to experience the highest PM levels in the country," Aarti Khosla, the director of Climate Trends, said.

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"While measures like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana or hyperlocal developments like the peripheral highways around Delhi are positive actions, there is a need for a scientific approach to address air quality issues in a sustained manner through an airshed approach, she said.

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Delhi was adjudged the most polluted city in India in the past year despite its air quality seeing marginal improvement. According to a study by independent think tank Climate Trends and tech firm Respirer Living Sciences, the concentration of PM2.

Delhi was adjudged the most polluted city in India in the past year despite its air quality seeing marginal improvement. According to a study by independent think tank Climate Trends and tech firm Respirer Living Sciences, the concentration of PM2.5 was the highest in Delhi with 100.1 micrograms per cubic metre, which is three times more than the government's safe limit. On the other hand, Manipur registered India's cleanest air with a PM2.5 level of only 11.1 micrograms per cubic metre. PM2.5 is an umbrella term used to describe fine inhalable chemical particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometres and smaller. While PM2.5 is more likely to travel into and deposit on the surface of the deeper parts of the lung, PM10 is more likely to deposit on the surfaces of the larger airways of the upper region of the lung. Particles deposited on the lung surface can induce tissue damage and lung inflammation. Report covers cities under NCAP The report is based on the analysis of the government's PM2.5 data from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, and focuses on the cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme, which aims to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in particulate matter concentration by 2026. The study further noted that the cities surrounding Delhi, which are part of the National Capital Region, too recorded their worst air quality. Faridabad (89 micrograms per cubic metre), Noida (79.1 micrograms per cubic metre), Ghaziabad (78.3 micrograms per cubic metre) and Meerut (76.9 micrograms per cubic metre) featured among the top 10 most polluted cities. After Delhi, the second most polluted city was Patna in Bihar, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 99.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Notably, the city’s air quality deteriorated by 24 per cent compared to the previous year. Cities with worst pollution part of the Indo-Gangetic Plains The top seven polluted cities are Delhi, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Faridabad, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Meerut—all part of the Indo-Gangetic Plains—the report noted. Also read | India's sunny solution to climate change woes enters 'accelerating growth' phase "The analysis reflects that there has been improvement in the Indo-Gangetic Plain cities over the last few years. However, considering the enormous pollution load, these cities continue to experience the highest PM levels in the country," Aarti Khosla, the director of Climate Trends, said. Also read | India weather update: Heavy rainfall predicted in several states over next three days "While measures like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana or hyperlocal developments like the peripheral highways around Delhi are positive actions, there is a need for a scientific approach to address air quality issues in a sustained manner through an airshed approach, she said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India: Delhi-NCR remains top in worst polluted city rankings, Mizoram has cleanest air

After India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) alerted the Delhi government on the dangerous pollution levels in the capital, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal declared that government employees will operate from home in work from home(WFH) mode as he advised private offices to also exercise the same option.

"Construction activities will not be allowed between November 14-17," the Delhi chief minister said as he announced the closure of schools for a week starting from Monday and asked authorities to operate virtually.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-pollution-situation-very-serious-in-new-delhi-says-indias-cji-nv-ramana-428954">Also Read:&nbsp;Air pollution situation 'very serious’ in New Delhi, says India's CJI NV Ramana</a>

The Delhi chief minister had called an emergency meeting after the Supreme Court had asked authorities to intervene. India's top court said the pollution in the Delhi-NCR region was an "emergency" situation.

"Everybody has the passion of blaming farmers. Have you seen how crackers are being burnt in Delhi for the last seven days? It is an emergency situation, multiple measures are needed to be taken on the ground level," the Supreme Court said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/get-ready-to-implement-emergency-measures-says-pollution-control-board-as-delhis-air-quality-worsens-428879">Also Read:&nbsp;Get ready to implement emergency measures, says Pollution Control Board</a>

The Supreme Court also asked the Delhi government whether the smog towers which were installed recently were in working order. The Delhi government informed the&nbsp;apex court that the smog towers were in working condition.

"There was a suggestion in the Supreme Court over complete lockdown in Delhi if the pollution situation turns worse. We are drafting a proposal," CM Kejriwal said, adding, "A&nbsp;proposal will be discussed with agencies and the Centre, if it happens, construction and vehicular movement will have to be stopped."

(With inputs from Agencies)

After India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) alerted the Delhi government on the dangerous pollution levels in the capital, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal declared that government employees will operate from home in work from home(WFH) mode as he advised private offices to also exercise the same option.

After India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) alerted the Delhi government on the dangerous pollution levels in the capital, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal declared that government employees will operate from home in work from home(WFH) mode as he advised private offices to also exercise the same option. "Construction activities will not be allowed between November 14-17," the Delhi chief minister said as he announced the closure of schools for a week starting from Monday and asked authorities to operate virtually. Also Read: Air pollution situation 'very serious’ in New Delhi, says India's CJI NV Ramana The Delhi chief minister had called an emergency meeting after the Supreme Court had asked authorities to intervene. India's top court said the pollution in the Delhi-NCR region was an "emergency" situation. "Everybody has the passion of blaming farmers. Have you seen how crackers are being burnt in Delhi for the last seven days? It is an emergency situation, multiple measures are needed to be taken on the ground level," the Supreme Court said. Also Read: Get ready to implement emergency measures, says Pollution Control Board The Supreme Court also asked the Delhi government whether the smog towers which were installed recently were in working order. The Delhi government informed the apex court that the smog towers were in working condition. "There was a suggestion in the Supreme Court over complete lockdown in Delhi if the pollution situation turns worse. We are drafting a proposal," CM Kejriwal said, adding, "A proposal will be discussed with agencies and the Centre, if it happens, construction and vehicular movement will have to be stopped." (With inputs from Agencies)

Schools to be closed, government employees to work from home: Delhi CM Kejriwal issues order on air pollution

A day after hundreds of effigies of demon king Ravana were burnt in the national capital on the occasion of Dussehra, the air quality of the region has worsened.

Air Quality in New Delhi Worsens After Dussehra celebrations