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India’s battle with air pollution has once again made global headlines, with Delhi earning the unfortunate title of the world’s most polluted city, according to the latest data from Swiss air quality firm IQAir. The ranking, based on real-time air quality levels, places three Indian metros among the world’s top ten most polluted cities, a grim reflection of the country’s ongoing environmental crisis.
Delhi tops the list, followed by Lahore in Pakistan, which takes the second spot. Kuwait City ranks third, while Karachi and Mumbai follow at fourth and fifth. Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Doha in Qatar, and Kolkata, the third Indian city on the list come next. Surprisingly, even Canberra, Australia, appears at ninth, while Jakarta, Indonesia, rounds off the top ten.
The latest readings reveal just how pervasive and severe South Asia’s pollution problem has become. The region’s rapid urbanisation, industrial activity, and vehicle emissions are combining into a toxic mix that routinely chokes its major cities.
In Delhi, the situation has worsened significantly in the days following Diwali celebrations. Despite the Supreme Court’s restrictions allowing only “green firecrackers” between 8 and 10 pm on the festival night, fireworks continued well past the permitted hours. As a result, the city’s air quality plummeted overnight.
By 10 pm on October 21st, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 344, a level classified as “very poor” by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Out of 38 monitoring stations across the city, 36 recorded air quality in the “red zone,” meaning pollution levels were either “very poor” or “severe.” Four stations even reported readings above 400, falling into the most dangerous “severe” category.
The CPCB defines AQI readings between 0 and 50 as “good,” 51 to 100 as “satisfactory,” 101 to 200 as “moderate,” 201 to 300 as “poor,” 301 to 400 as “very poor,” and anything above 400 as “severe.” These categories measure the concentration of key pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10, microscopic particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
According to data from the Decision Support System (DSS), transport emissions were responsible for about 15.6% of Delhi’s pollution on Monday, while industrial activity and other sources contributed around 23.3%. Stubble burning in neighbouring states, a recurring seasonal issue, is also expected to worsen conditions as winter progresses.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on October 19. This phase includes measures such as intensified street cleaning, restrictions on diesel generator use, and tighter control over construction dust.
Despite these efforts, Delhi’s residents continue to face hazardous air — a recurring pattern every winter as cooler temperatures trap pollutants closer to the ground. Experts warn that temporary bans and seasonal crackdowns are not enough. Long-term policy changes, cleaner fuels, better public transport, and stricter industrial controls are crucial if India hopes to breathe easier in the years ahead.
Delhi’s skyline, once glowing with Diwali lights, now hangs heavy with smog, a stark reminder that celebrations often come at an environmental cost that no city can afford to ignore.
