Delhi ranked sixth most polluted city in India in October, with PM2.5 levels nearly tripling from September. A CREA report highlighted a sharp air quality drop across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, with Dharuhera in Haryana topping the list. The findings underscore the impact of year-round pollution sources beyond seasonal factors. Smog blankets the Yamuna in Delhi (PTI file photo) NEW DELHI: Delhi was ranked the sixth most polluted city in India in October, trailing behind Ghaziabad and Noida, according to a new report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).The study, based on continuous air quality monitoring data, found a sharp drop in air quality across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, particularly in the National Capital Region. Dharuhera in Haryana topped the list as the most polluted city, recording a monthly average PM2.5 level of 123 µg/m³, double the national safe limit.Delhi’s air quality also worsened significantly, with its monthly average rising to 107 µg/m³, nearly three times higher than in September. CREA noted that while stubble burning contributed less than six per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 levels in October, the spike points to the impact of year-round pollution sources and the limits of short-term seasonal measures like the Graded Response Action Plan.Dharuhera breached national air quality standards on 77 per cent of the days last month, logging two ‘severe’ and nine ‘very poor’ days. Other cities high on the pollution list included Rohtak, Ghaziabad, Noida, Ballabgarh, Bhiwadi, Greater Noida, Hapur, and Gurgaon, most of them part of the NCR region.Top 10 most polluted cities Dharuhera, HaryanaRohtak, HaryanaGhaziabad, Uttar PradeshNoida, Uttar PradeshBallabgarh, HaryanaDelhi, National Capital TerritoryBhiwadi, RajasthanGreater Noida, Uttar PradeshHapur, Uttar PradeshGurgaon, HaryanaAlso read: Data under fire, SC seeks report on measures to tackle pollutionAt the other end, Shillong in Meghalaya was India’s cleanest city, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 10 µg/m³. Four cities from Karnataka and three from Tamil Nadu also featured among the top 10 cleanest.Out of 249 cities analysed, 212 met India’s national air quality standards, but only six complied with the World Health Organisation’s safe limit of 15 µg/m³. The report also showed a sharp decline in the number of cities with ‘good’ air quality, dropping from 179 in September to just 68 in October.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWill Nitish Kumar’s ‘Jeevika Didi’ Scheme Sway Women Voters? 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NEW DELHI: Delhi was ranked the sixth most polluted city in India in October, trailing behind Ghaziabad and Noida, according to a new report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).The study, based on continuous air quality monitoring data, found a sharp drop in air quality across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, particularly in the National Capital Region. Dharuhera in Haryana topped the list as the most polluted city, recording a monthly average PM2.5 level of 123 µg/m³, double the national safe limit.Delhi’s air quality also worsened significantly, with its monthly average rising to 107 µg/m³, nearly three times higher than in September. CREA noted that while stubble burning contributed less than six per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 levels in October, the spike points to the impact of year-round pollution sources and the limits of short-term seasonal measures like the Graded Response Action Plan.Dharuhera breached national air quality standards on 77 per cent of the days last month, logging two ‘severe’ and nine ‘very poor’ days. Other cities high on the pollution list included Rohtak, Ghaziabad, Noida, Ballabgarh, Bhiwadi, Greater Noida, Hapur, and Gurgaon, most of them part of the NCR region.Top 10 most polluted cities
- Dharuhera, Haryana
- Rohtak, Haryana
- Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
- Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Ballabgarh, Haryana
- Delhi, National Capital Territory
- Bhiwadi, Rajasthan
- Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Hapur, Uttar Pradesh
- Gurgaon, Haryana
Also read: Data under fire, SC seeks report on measures to tackle pollutionAt the other end, Shillong in Meghalaya was India’s cleanest city, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 10 µg/m³. Four cities from Karnataka and three from Tamil Nadu also featured among the top 10 cleanest.Out of 249 cities analysed, 212 met India’s national air quality standards, but only six complied with the World Health Organisation’s safe limit of 15 µg/m³. The report also showed a sharp decline in the number of cities with ‘good’ air quality, dropping from 179 in September to just 68 in October.