India Slips to Fifth Most Polluted Nation: Only Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Congo Fare Worse
A Swiss agency’s 2024 environment rating has ranked India as the fifth most polluted country in the world. The survey was comprehensive, analyzing PM2.5 data from 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 8,954 locations in 138 countries. Only Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Congo fare worse than India. While there is some cold comfort in India improving from its third-place ranking in 2023, the situation remains dire. India has six of the world’s most polluted cities and 13 of the 20 worst. Unsurprisingly, given recent trends, Delhi has once again emerged as the most polluted capital.
Shocking Pollution Levels: Delhi Tops the Charts as World’s Most Polluted Capital Yet Again
The annual IQAir report found India’s average annual PM2.5 level at 50.6 μg/m³—ten times the WHO guideline of 5 μg/m³ and over 25% above India’s national standard of 40 μg/m³. While India’s overall PM2.5 levels have marginally improved from 54.4 μg/m³ in 2023 to 50.6 μg/m³ this year, Delhi’s pollution levels have barely budged, dipping only slightly from 92.7 μg/m³ to 91.6 μg/m³. PM2.5 particles are particularly concerning from a health standpoint, as their microscopic size allows them to penetrate deep into the lungs.
Air Pollution Costs India 3% of GDP Annually: The Devastating Economic and Health Toll
India must tackle this crisis with urgency, not only because of its devastating health toll but also due to its economic impact. Estimates suggest air pollution costs the economy 3% of GDP in terms of lost productivity, healthcare expenses, and premature deaths. The country’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels is a key culprit—over 50% of its electricity is generated from them. This dependence undermines efforts to reduce urban pollution, as seen in the limited impact of shifting vehicles from petrol and diesel to electricity.
Renewable Energy Push Isn’t Enough: Urgent Need for Bold Policies and Public Transport Overhaul
While India has made progress in renewable energy, which now accounts for over 40% of installed capacity, much more needs to be done. A robust, well-integrated public transport system—spanning both large cities and smaller towns—could be a game-changer, significantly reducing reliance on private vehicles. Without bold policy shifts, India risks choking under its own smog.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
Authentic news.
