Air pollution in India has reached dangerous levels in 2024, especially in northern cities. Many cities have AQI (Air Quality Index) readings marked as “hazardous,” impacting millions. Major causes include vehicle emissions, industrial output, and construction dust. This article looks at the 10 most polluted cities in India as of November 2024, highlighting their challenges.
By November 2024, Delhi had an average AQI of 310, marked as “Hazardous” according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This placed Delhi at the top of India’s most polluted cities. Due to the serious rise in pollution, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-II) was implemented in Delhi-NCR to control the worsening air quality.
New Delhi, with an Air Quality Index of 371, stands as the most polluted city of India by November 2024, followed by Rohtak, Sonipat and Bhiwadi.
Here is the list of top-10 most polluted cities in India by November 2024:
| Most Polluted Cities in India by November 2024 | ||
| Rank | Cities | AQI Score |
| 1. | New Delhi | 371 |
| 2. | Rohtak | 357 |
| 3. | Sonipat | 345 |
| 4. | Bhiwadi | 317 |
| 5. | Kalyan | 278 |
| 6. | Ghaziabad | 267 |
| 7. | Vrindawan | 266 |
| 8. | Churu | 260 |
| 9. | Hisar | 236 |
| 10. | Rajgir | 234 |
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a scale used to show how clean or polluted the air is and how it may affect health. The AQI ranges from 0 to 500, with higher numbers meaning more pollution and greater health risks. It is calculated by measuring levels of six main pollutants to give an overall score for air quality.
AQI is divided into six categories, each with a different level of health concern and color. Here is the list of categories of AQI:
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