CREA Analysis: PM2.5 Pollution Levels in Indian Cities Exceed National Standards

A recent analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) using data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that most Indian cities recorded PM2.5 levels above national standards during winter 2025–26, highlighting persistent air pollution concerns.

Key Findings of the CREA Analysis

• High Pollution Levels: 204 out of 238 Indian cities recorded average PM2.5 concentrations above the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 40 µg/m³ during the winter season.
• Most Polluted Cities: Ghaziabad recorded the highest PM2.5 concentration (172 µg/m³), followed by Noida (166 µg/m³) and Delhi (163 µg/m³). 
  • Other highly polluted cities included Greater Noida, Bahadurgarh, Dharuhera, Gurugram, Bhiwadi, Charkhi Dadri, and Baghpat.
• Regional Concentration of Pollution: Uttar Pradesh and Haryana accounted for four cities each among the ten most polluted cities, along with Delhi and one city from Rajasthan.
• Megacity Pollution Trends: Among major megacities, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai recorded average PM2.5 levels above the national standard, while Bengaluru recorded 39 µg/m³, marginally below the prescribed limit.
• WHO Air Quality Benchmark: None of the analysed cities met the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³.
• Cleanest City During Winter: Chamarajanagar in Karnataka recorded the lowest average PM2.5 concentration (19 µg/m³). 
  • The ten cleanest cities included eight from Karnataka and one each from Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya.

Key Implications of the Findings

• Health Risks: PM2.5 particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to chronic respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and impaired lung development in children.
• Policy Concerns: The findings indicate that the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is struggling to achieve its pollution-reduction targets, suggesting that air pollution has evolved into a nationwide crisis rather than a problem limited to Delhi.
• Airshed Vulnerability: The concentration of pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain highlights the trans-boundary nature of air pollution, where emissions from one city or state affect neighbouring regions.
• Economic Impact: High pollution levels increase healthcare expenditure, reduce labour productivity, and adversely affect tourism, retail activity, and urban livability, especially during winter months.

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Way Forward

• Source-Based Pollution Control: Shift from temporary measures (e.g., water sprinkling) to targeting major sources such as thermal power plants, industrial emissions, and vehicular pollution.
• Regional “Airshed” Approach: Promote inter-state coordination among regions such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, recognising that air pollution spreads across administrative boundaries.
• Expansion of Monitoring Network: Increase the number of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) across small and medium towns to improve air quality assessment and policy response.