New Delhi has been declared the second most polluted city in North India during the last winter as per the latest air quality analysis. Ghaziabad remained the most polluted. The analysis – “All India Winter Air Quality Analysis” – was done by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE).
The findings of the report showed that particulate pollution had increased during the winter of 2021-22 (from 15 October to 28 February). It analyzed the six regions of India – North, South, East, West, Central and North-East.
Delhi’s average pollution level during winter was 170 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), while that of Ghaziabad was 178 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).
Delhi-NCR sees the highest pollution levels in North India as the next seven polluted cities are from the surrounding NCR regions. Ghaziabad and Delhi are followed by Faridabad, Manesar, Baghpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut and Hapur.
“Delhi-NCR also saw a marginal increase in average 24-hour pollution. There was a significant increase in peak pollution from baseline between cities in south (24 per cent) and central Indian cities (7 per cent), despite overall pollution. Fall in average,” the CSE report was quoted in a PTI article.
Srinagar was the cleanest city in North India. Pollution levels were relatively low in Palwal in Haryana, Bathinda in Punjab and Alwar in Rajasthan.
Here are the most polluted cities as per CSE (area wise)
Answer – Ghaziabad
East – Siwan, Bihar
West – Ankleshwar, Gujarat
Central – Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh
South – Kalaburagi, Karnataka and Hyderabad, Telangana
North-East – Guwahati, Assam
“Clearly, the winter pollution challenge is not limited to mega-cities or a specific region. It is now a widespread national problem that requires immediate and deliberate action at the national level.
CSE Executive Director (Research and Advocacy) Anumita Roychowdhury said, “There is a need for quick reforms and action in key areas of pollution – vehicles, industries, power plants and waste management – to bend the annual air pollution curve and daily spikes. ” PTI.
(with inputs from PTI)