The air quality in various cities across India has deteriorated significantly due to rising pollution levels, posing serious health risks to residents. Cities like Muzaffarnagar, Burnihat, and Greater Noida are experiencing alarming levels of pollution, with AQI readings reaching as high as 340, 314, and 336 respectively.
The data released by the Central Pollution Control Board on May 15, 2024, reveals that 25 cities have ‘better’ air quality, while 93 cities have ‘satisfactory’ air quality. However, there has been an increase in the number of cities with poor air quality, warranting urgent measures to combat pollution and safeguard public health.
The situation has become so dire in these cities that breathing has become difficult, posing severe health risks to residents. In comparison, Cuddalore boasts the cleanest air, with pollution levels significantly lower. The disparity between Muzaffarnagar and Cuddalore is staggering, with pollution levels in Muzaffarnagar being 13 times higher.
Additionally, 25 cities in the country are grappling with suffocating air quality, including Baghpat, Bahadurgarh, Ballabgarh, Bettiah, Bhiwadi, Bhiwandi, Buxar, Charkhi Dadri, Chapra, Dehradun, Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Jaisalmer, Kurukshetra, Ludhiana, Manesar, Meerut, Noida, Panchkula, Patna, Siwan, and Thane. The air quality index (AQI) in these cities ranges between 200 to 300, signifying hazardous conditions.
On the other hand, 89 cities maintain moderate air quality levels, including Agartala, Ahmedabad, Ambala, Amritsar, Angul, Araria, Asansol, Baddi, Banswara, Baran, Barbil, Bathinda, Belapur, Bhagalpur, Bharatpur, Bhiwani, Bikaner, Bilipada, Bulandshahr, Bundi, Chandigarh, Chittorgarh, Dausa, Dhanbad, Dharuhera, Durgapur, Guwahati, and Gwalior.
Delhi, the capital city, continues to grapple with poor air quality, with the AQI rising to 243. Similarly, Faridabad has witnessed a slight improvement, with AQI decreasing by four points. However, cities like Mumbai, Lucknow, Chennai, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Patna also face moderate pollution levels, with AQI ranging between 62 to 224.
Conversely, 25 cities, including Amaravati, Ariyalur, Bagalkot, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Cuddalore, Cuttack, Davangere, Gummidipoondi, Haldia, Kadapa, Karwar, Madikeri, Manguraha, Naharlagun, Palakalaiperur, Puducherry, Ramanagara, Ramanathapuram, Surat, Thoothukudi, Tirupati, Udupi, Varanasi, and Vijayapura, boast cleaner air quality, with AQI at 50 or below.
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