Varanasi Air Pollution
Indian cities reduced PM2.5 pollution levels by 27% from 2019-24: Report
Indian cities achieved an average 27 per cent reduction in PM2.5 pollution levels from 2019 to 2024, with those under NCAP alone recording a 24 per cent decline, a new report has found. According to the report by climate tech firm Respirer Living Sciences, Varanasi and Moradabad reduced PM2.5 levels by 76 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively. Other top performers include Kalaburagi (57.2 per cent), Meerut (57.1 per cent), Katni (56.3 per cent), Agra (54.1 per cent), Baghpat (53.3 per cent), Kanpur (51.2 per cent) and Jodhpur (50.5 per cent). "Air quality has improved considerably, with a 27 per cent decline in PM2.5 levels across all monitored cities since 2019. NCAP (National Clean Air Programme) cities alone achieved a 24 per cent reduction, showing progress in combating air pollution," according to the report. Despite the improvements, several cities remain highly polluted. In 2024, Delhi recorded PM2.5 levels of 107 microgrammes per cubic metre while Byrnihat in Assam report
 "Indian cities reduced PM2.5 pollution levels by 27% from 2019-24: Report")
Varanasi has India's most toxic air, as north Indian cities outpace Delhi
In 2015, Varanasi and Allahabad had no monitored days with good air quality
 "Varanasi has India's most toxic air, as north Indian cities outpace Delhi")
