India’s air pollution crisis has extended well beyond Delhi, with 22 of the world’s 25 most polluted cities located in the country, according to a real-time ranking by AQI.in. Towns across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Maharashtra featured prominently on the list, highlighting the scale of the air quality challenge across several states.

Data recorded at 11 am placed Meerut in Uttar Pradesh at the second position globally, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 386. Ghaziabad ranked fourth with a reading of 370, while Haryana’s Panipat stood fifth at 369.

Other cities in the National Capital Region also reported high pollution levels. Noida recorded an AQI of 367, while Greater Noida registered 361, placing both among the 10 most polluted cities in the ranking.

The readings point to widespread exposure to polluted air across densely populated urban centres, raising concerns about the health risks faced by millions of residents.

Pollution Spreads Across States Beyond Delhi-NCR

The concentration of cities from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana reflects the regional nature of the pollution problem. Alongside Meerut, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Panipat, the ranking included Hapur, Muzaffarnagar, Moradabad, Sonipat and Karnal.

The impact was not limited to northern India. Bhiwandi and Thane in Maharashtra, Bathinda and Faridkot in Punjab, and Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan also appeared on the list.

The presence of cities across multiple states underscores how pollution can extend beyond municipal boundaries. Vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, construction dust and other sources contribute to the overall pollution load, while weather conditions can determine how quickly these pollutants disperse.

Delhi Records Improvement, but Air Quality Remains Poor

Delhi did not feature in the 25-city ranking at the time of the assessment, even as several neighbouring urban centres recorded high AQI levels.

According to AQI.in, the capital’s AQI stood at 296 at 9.31 am on October 24, compared with 337 at the same time a day earlier. The 41-point decline indicated a modest improvement, but pollution levels remained high.

The ranking represents conditions at a particular moment rather than a fixed assessment of long-term air quality. Pollution readings can fluctuate throughout the day, meaning Delhi’s absence from the list does not necessarily indicate a sustained improvement.

Winter Conditions Could Worsen Pollution

With winter approaching, changing weather patterns could make the situation more challenging. Weaker winds and other unfavourable atmospheric conditions can slow the dispersal of pollutants, allowing them to accumulate near the ground.

Smoke from crop-residue burning in neighbouring states may add to emissions from traffic, construction and industrial activity, further increasing the pollution burden across the region.

The latest ranking highlights the need for coordinated action across state boundaries to curb emissions and address the sources of pollution. With cities from several parts of India appearing near the top of the global list, the challenge extends far beyond the national capital.