NCR trio in top 5 polluted cities
A study of air quality data by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that Jan 19, 2025, was Gurgaon's 'overshoot day'.
By then, particulate matter 2.5 concentration was already so high that, even if levels were to drastically reduce to zero for the rest of the year, the city would still fail to meet WHO's annual limit.
The analysis also ranked the city as the fifth most polluted Indian city in the first half of 2025, with an average concentration of PM2.5 at 75 µg/m³, 15 times higher than WHO's maximum permissible limit (5µg/m³).
You Can Also Check:
Gurgaon AQI
|
Weather in Gurgaon
|
Bank Holidays in Gurgaon
|
Public Holidays in Gurgaon
"Gurgaon's consistent ranking among the top 10 most polluted cities, even during non-winter months, highlights the persistence of poor air quality.
The upcoming NCAP revision must add Gurgaon as a priority city to tackle its pollution sources year-round," Manoj Kumar, an analyst at CREA, said on Friday.
Kumar was referring to another CREA finding that Gurgaon was among the 10 most polluted cities in India in Feb, March, April and May this year.
NCAP, or the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), is an initiative launched by the Union environment ministry in 2019 to tackle air pollution across India.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
'Non-attainment' cities under NCAP are those that consistently fail to meet national air quality standards. Under the programme, these cities are given targets to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 40% (compared to 2017 levels) by 2026.
The CREA report, released on Friday, draws on PM2.5 data from Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) across 293 Indian cities to give a mid-year snapshot of air pollution trends.
PM2.5 – particles that are 2.5 microns in diameter, one-thirtieth the width of a strand of human hair – can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter bloodstream if inhaled. Long exposure can worsen and trigger cardiac and respiratory ailments.
Further, the report concluded that other Indian cities did not fare any better.
By June 29 this year, 259 out of 293 cities – including Delhi (87 µg/m³) and Ghaziabad (78 µg/m³) — had reached their 'overshoot day'.
Even if the less stringent limits in India were considered for annual PM2.5 levels, 122 out of the 293 cities, or 41%, breached National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 40µg/m³ by the end of June.
The remaining 117 cities were compliant with India's norms, though none met WHO's standards.
"This widespread exceedance of both national and global air quality standards points to a persistent and systemic challenge in India's fight against air pollution," the report said, adding that even in cities considered "compliant" under Indian norms, the exposure levels remain significantly harmful to human health.
"We are aware of the elevated PM2.5 levels in cities like Gurgaon and are continuously working with local bodies to implement mitigation measures," an official of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) said.
Experts pointed out that most of Haryana's air quality monitoring stations have been offline since Dec 2024, and it is likely that pollution levels logged in Gurgaon may be under-estimated because of it.
Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, "The fact that cities are breaching the WHO threshold so early in the year highlights how ineffective our pollution control strategies have been. The overshoot day metric shows that the problem is systemic. We need a far more aggressive and coordinated approach if we are serious about protecting public health."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Ist indigenous diving support vessel Nistar commissioned
The first indigenously designed and constructed diving support vessel INS Nistar was commissioned into the Navy Friday for undertaking complex deep-sea saturation diving and submarine rescue operations — a niche capability possessed by select navies globally. INS Nistar is the first of the two diving support vessels being built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. At the commissioning ceremony in Visakhapatnam, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said INS Nistar is not just a technological asset, but a crucial operational enabler. 'Nistar will provide critical submarine rescue support to the Indian Navy as well as our regional partners,' he said, adding that this will enable India to emerge as a Preferred Submarine Rescue Partner in the region. 'The commissioning of Nistar is testimony to the growing capability and maturity of our maritime industrial base, and another shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat,' he said. MoS for Defence Sanjay Seth said the commissioning of the 118-m INS Nistar firmly reinforces the role of the Indian Navy as the 'first responder' and 'preferred security partner' in the region. 'The indigenous shipbuilding Industry has been one of the pillars of the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign,' he said, adding that INS Nistar's induction is a technological leap and a milestone in the Indian shipbuilding chapter towards building a future-ready force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on X: 'This induction of the DSV, installed with state-of-the-art Equipment to undertake Saturation Diving and Salvage Operations, as well as serve as the 'Mother Ship' for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV), for rescue and evacuation of personnel from a Submarine in distress, is another milestone in India's journey towards ensuring Maritime Security and Safety in the Indian Ocean Region through Aatmanirbharta.' Currently, all 57 new warships in the pipeline are being constructed domestically. As per the Navy, INS Nistar is installed with state-of-the-art Diving Equipment such as remotely operated vehicles, self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat, diving compression chambers. It can undertake diving and salvage operations up to a depth of 300 m. It would also serve as the 'Mother Ship' for deep submergence rescue vessels to rescue and evacuate personnel from a dived submarine in distress well below the surface. 'With participation of 120 MSMEs and incorporating over 80% indigenous content, INS Nistar is a statement to India's ability to build complex ships at par with international standards,' it said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
HC orders transfer of ‘distressed' Kolhapur tusker to Gujarat trust; math plans to move SC
Mumbai/Kolhapur: Giving priority to animal welfare over the right to use them in religious rites, Bombay high court has directed a Jain math in Kolhapur to transfer their elephant, Mahadevi, to a temple trust in Jamnagar, Gujarat, within two weeks. Officials from the Jain math at Nandani stated that Mahadevi was under their care since 1992. Devotees worship the elephant, and the math would appeal to the Supreme Court to allow them to keep Mahadevi, citing emotional and spiritual connections, the officials said. "…we have considered and chosen the survival of the elephant and its right to quality life, over and above the rights of men to use the elephant for religious rites…This court has duty under the doctrine parens patriae to secure the rights of the voiceless and hapless Mahadevi," said the court, dismissing a petition by the Jain math who owned Mahadevi since 1992. The math had challenged a high-power committee's orders directing Mahadevi's transfer to Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust in Jamnagar. The committee's order was based on a complaint by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals that Mahadevi "is exhibiting signs of physical and psychological distress". The committee's report said Mahadevi suffered from decubital ulcerated wounds on her hip joints and right elbow joint and injuries to toenails and back. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The judges said the petitioner's argument that the elephant's condition is now improving is "quite counter-productive" and "too little too late" as it establishes that she suffered injuries while under the "care and custody" of the math. The HC, through the order, also requested the chief wildlife warden of Maharashtra to issue a transport permit, and the chief wildlife warden of Gujarat to issue a no-objection certificate, if necessary, to effect the said transfer. Peta India director of advocacy projects Khushboo Gupta said, "No living being deserves isolation, chaining and being controlled with weapons. Peta India is grateful to Bombay HC for granting Mahadevi an opportunity to live the rest of her life safe and in the company of other elephants, and urges the organisers of religious ceremonies to opt for life-size robotic elephants instead."
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Villagers plant 2,500 saplings to protect govt land
Dharwad: The villagers of Baad in Dharwad taluk celebrated Vanamahotsava by planting 2,500 saplings in just two hours to protect government land from being encroached upon. More than 500 residents of Baad, along with support from neighbouring villages, picked up shovels and pickaxes early in the morning and gave new life to the village's gomala (grazing land). They planted over 25 varieties of fruit-bearing, medicinal and eco-friendly plants. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's All-India Organisational head Mangesh Bhende, who inaugurated the programme, emphasised the urgent need for environmental conservation. "The time has come for villagers to once again focus on preserving nature. In other states, people dedicate at least a day to the environment. Local festivals should be celebrated in nearby forests with simple, traditional food. Villagers must take responsibility for protecting the saplings they plant," Bhende said. Siddashivayogigalu from Siddashrama, Devarahubballi, said nature is a gift from God, and it is everyone's responsibility to preserve it for future generations. "The beautiful environment gifted by God is now on the verge of destruction. The people of Baad have set an example for others through this noble act," he said. In his introductory remarks, social activist Kallanagouda Patil recalled how, in the past, farmers had to pay taxes for this Jagir land, and if they lacked money, they had to give their cattle in lieu of tax. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Trend Is Changing Bridal Beauty vividtrendlab Undo Several prominent members of RSS, including Shridhar Nadgir, Mallikarjun Jodalli, Ningappa Madivalar, Hanumanthappa Amblennavar, Nagappa Jodalli, Shivanand Menasinakai and Yallappa Madar were present at the event. The Vanamahotsava was organised by Sai Garments, Jeevana Mukti Foundation, and Aarya Grama Baad. Baad village has around 500 acres of naturally rich land, including Gomala. In recent years, land mafias have tried to illegally grab this area. But by planting saplings, the villagers have successfully protected this government property. Notably, they have also taken full responsibility for nurturing and preserving the newly planted saplings, said the villagers.
