India is suffocating under a severe air pollution crisis, with toxic smog engulfing its cities and threatening the health of over 1.4 billion people. New Delhi, the nation’s capital, has earned the unwanted title of the world’s most polluted city. This silent killer is exacerbated by India’s notoriously high pollution levels, with six of the world’s top 10 most polluted cities located within its borders, posing a significant threat to both the country’s health and economy.
According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report, India’s PM2.5 levels exceed the World Health Organization’s annual guideline by over 10 times. PM2.5 are very small particles usually found in smoke that can penetrate the lungs and thus pose high health risks.
Between 2009 and 2019, the country’s population was repeatedly exposed to hazardous air pollution that posed serious health risks. Despite a 7% decrease in PM2.5 levels in 2024, India remains the country with the worst air pollution, with an average of 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter, down from 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023.
With a population of over 34.5 million, the capital city of New Delhi has the poorest air quality globally, maintaining an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 micrograms per cubic meter, only slightly down from 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023.
The consequences are significant, with air pollution reducing life expectancy by approximately 5.2 years. Furthermore, it has been India’s top cause of death since 2021, claiming over 2 million lives annually, surpassing COVID-19 deaths. Pollution triggers various serious health issues including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and exposure to PM2.5 can lead to life-threatening conditions such as lung cancer, stroke and heart disease.
Researchers estimate that air pollution-related costs to India’s healthcare system totaled almost US$12 billion in 2019 while the economic impact of air pollution amounts to US$36.8 billion in estimated losses.
The main pollution sources in India are industrial discharges, construction dust, the burning of crop residues, power plants, households and transportation. Climate change has merely intensified pollution by increasing atmospheric stagnation which traps pollutants and worsens their impact on the population’s health
To combat deteriorating air quality, non-essential construction in New Delhi has been banned. The government also aims to manage demolition waste, handle daily waste efficiently and address legacy waste issues.
In addition, sprinkling water with dust suppressants on roads and implementing mechanized sweeping to settle dust have become essential. Furthermore, all primary schools have been directed to shift to online classes.
India is leveraging solar energy as a solution to mitigate air pollution, with the Delhi Metro now meeting 60% of its daytime energy needs through solar power, reducing coal dependence and saving US$170 million over 25 years.
The government has outlined a multi-faceted plan which includes expediting the purchase of new buses, with 80% being electric and impounding the old vehicles. The plan also involves acquiring cleaner public transport, removing 50 million old vehicles, and meeting the goal of recycling 100% of construction waste. Despite these efforts, the effectiveness of such measures is being disputed with critics calling for more robust and sustainable solutions.
With 17% of the world’s population residing within its borders, India’s share of global carbon emissions is less than 8.5% which, when compared with China which is home to a more or less similar number of people but accounts for 34% of emissions globally, indicates a significant imbalance. Nevertheless, the fact is that India’s air pollution is taking its toll.
