New Delhi: India’s air pollution crisis has spread well beyond Delhi and the National Capital Region, with 49 of the world’s 50 most polluted cities located in the country on Monday, according to air quality data tracked by AQI.in.
A global ranking recorded at 9:54 am on November 10 placed Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar at the top with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 821. Punjab’s Bathinda followed with 629, while Haryana’s Sirsa ranked third with an AQI of 544.
Pakistan’s Lahore was the only city outside India to feature in the top 50. It stood at 14th position with an AQI reading of 430.
The ranking highlights the widespread impact of winter pollution across northern India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Several cities in these states recorded readings above 400.
Hisar, Faridkot Among India’s Most Polluted Cities
Haryana’s Hisar recorded an AQI of 516, while Punjab’s Faridkot registered 506, placing both among the most polluted cities in the ranking.
Delhi stood at the 24th position with an AQI reading of 393. Other cities featuring on the list included Ludhiana and Patiala in Punjab, along with Budaun, Jaunpur and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
The figures suggest that the pollution problem is not confined to the national capital, with several smaller cities across northern India also recording extremely high pollution levels.
Delhi Pollution Spikes After Diwali
The ranking comes amid a sharp deterioration in Delhi’s air quality following Diwali celebrations on November 8.
On November 9, the morning after the festival, Delhi’s AQI reportedly reached 663, marking a 69% increase compared with the post-Diwali reading recorded last year.
The pollution spike has also led to a political exchange between the BJP-led Delhi government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Delhi minister Kapil Mishra blamed an alleged rise in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab for worsening air quality, while the AAP rejected the allegations.
No Rain Expected In Delhi Until November 15
There is little immediate relief in sight for Delhi, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting no rainfall until November 15.
In the absence of rain or stronger winds to disperse pollutants, poor air quality could persist across parts of northern India in the coming days.
The latest ranking underscores the scale of the pollution challenge, as cities beyond the NCR continue to record high levels of air pollution.
