Delhi Chokes Again: NCR Tops India's Most Polluted Cities List in October 2024
The Delhi-National Capital Region, or NCR, had all the ten most polluted cities in the country in October 2024 according to Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air or CREA. The level of pollution had increased during October 2024 in the country. At a very alarming average concentration, Delhi stood at the first spot with 111 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5 followed by Ghaziabad which was second at 110, and Muzaffarnagar which came third at 103 micrograms. While CREA analyzed data of 263 cities, this showed that an extremely grim, and never-ending air quality crisis in Delhi and NCR continued even after some regulations were in place.
Worsening Air Quality Crisis in Delhi and NCR
October was the worst month for air quality in Delhi-NCR. Besides Delhi, the other cities that have made it to the top 10 are Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, Hapur, Noida, Meerut, Charkhi Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, and Bahadurgarh. In these cities, PM2.5 levels were found much higher than the national daily safe standard of 60 micrograms per cubic meter and the World Health Organization's guideline of 15 micrograms.
The Persistent Pollution Issue Despite GRAP
The emergency measure, Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), activated in the capital every winter, was implemented starting on October 15. Despite all this, pollution remained high, continuing to be on the much-dangerous level. CREA's revelations point to the need for more stringent measures that are year-round rather than short-term responses like GRAP.
Graded Response in Comparison with Other Nations
In October, the NCR cities saw their air quality rated "very poor," while India's other megacities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai succeeded in keeping PM2.5 concentrations below national limits. This is an excellent reflection of the extreme degree of pollution in the NCR due to local emissions, industrial activity, and regional environmental conditions.
Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Lead Rankings
Uttar Pradesh led the rankings for the first time, with six cities figuring on the list, followed closely by Haryana at three. The concentration of pollution in these states underlines a broader regional issue in northern India where geographic, climatic, and infrastructural factors contribute to high pollution levels.
Major Contributors to the NCR Pollution Crisis
Manoj Kumar of CREA said that transboundary sources comprised between 60 and 70% of Delhi's PM2.5 levels in October, while stubble burning accounted for less than 10%. Persistent, year-round sources like vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and thermal power plants contribute substantially towards maintaining high levels of pollution in the NCR.
"Transboundary sources significantly contributed to Delhi's pollution this October," Kumar said, underscoring the need for holistic strategies that extend beyond short-term measures.
Record-Breaking Pollution Levels in Delhi
Delhi's average PM2.5 concentration in October this year was at 111 micrograms per cubic meter, the highest recorded for the month since 2020. The average was 2.5 times higher than in September, when the city recorded a PM2.5 level of 43 micrograms per cubic meter. It was still "very poor" for 14 days, "poor" on four days, "moderate" for eight days, and finally met the national standard just five days in October.
Long-term solutions needed
The alarming levels of pollution in the cities of NCR during October reflect an urgent need for complete and sustainable solutions. The long-term fight against air pollution would be facilitated through more stringent regulatory policies, stronger regional collaboration, investments in clean energy, and infrastructure. The country could, therefore, address its root causes and work toward a multi-faceted approach in developing a healthier environment for the people of India, particularly in its most affected regions like Delhi-NCR.
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