13 South Indian cities have toxic air; at least 26 more are unsafe: Study

The Centre's list includes three cities from Telangana, five from Andhra Pradesh, one from Tamil Nadu and four from Karnataka

As the Centre plans to clean the air in 13 south Indian cities, 26 more cities spread across four south Indian states reported annual particulate pollution levels higher than the national safe standards, according to an analysis of government data.

The union environment ministry is planning to bring down air pollution in around 100 cities nationwide–exceeding national air pollution standards–by 50% in the next five years through the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

NCAP includes expansion of monitoring network, conducting air pollution health impact studies, setting up of