Air pollution is a major issue in many Indian cities, making the air harmful to breathe. It comes from things like traffic, factories, construction, and burning waste. Some cities have much worse pollution than others, which can cause serious health problems. Here are the top-10 most polluted cities in India, where the air quality is often very poor and unhealthy.
As of October 2024, Delhi is the most polluted city in India, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 310, falling into the “Very Poor” category. The main pollutants in the air are tiny particles known as PM2.5 and PM10, which come from sources like vehicle emissions, factories, and construction. These pollutants make the air harmful to breathe and can cause serious health problems.
Delhi, capital city of India, with the AQI value of 310, holds the title of the most polluted city in India by October 2024, followed by Singrauli, Bhiwani and Rohtak.
Here is the list of top-10 most polluted cities in India by October 2024:
| India’s Most Pollutant City by October 2024 | |||
| Rank | City | State | AQI Value |
| 1. | Delhi | Delhi | 310 |
| 2. | Singrauli | Madhya Pradesh | 300 |
| 3. | Bhiwani | Haryana | 289 |
| 4. | Rohtak | Haryana | 283 |
| 5. | Jind | Haryana | 277 |
| 6. | Ghaziabad | Uttar Pradesh | 257 |
| 7. | Bahadurgarh | Haryana | 255 |
| 8. | Noida | Uttar Pradesh | 252 |
| 9. | Kaithal | Haryana | 239 |
| 10. | Hajipur | Bihar | 236 |
The Air Quality Index (AQI) helps people understand how polluted the air is. As pollution increases, so does the AQI, raising health risks for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with breathing or heart issues. When the AQI is high, it’s advised to limit outdoor activities and consider using masks and air purifiers indoors.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) bands indicate air pollution levels, providing health advice based on how clean or polluted the air is.
| AQI | Category |
| 0-33 | Very Good |
| 34-66 | Good |
| 67-99 | Fair |
| 100-149 | Poor |
| 150-200 | Very Poor |
| 200 + | Hazardous |
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