New Delhi has been named the second-most polluted city in North India during the last winters according to a latest air quality analysis. Ghaziabad was named the most polluted. The analysis - "All India Winter Air Quality Analysis" - was carried out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).


The findings in the report showed that particulate pollution stayed elevated during the winter of 2021-22 (from October 15 to February 28). It analysed six regions - north, south, east, west, central and northeast - of India.


Delhi's average pollution level during the winters was 170 microgram per cubic metre (μg/m3), whereas that of Ghaziabad was 178 microgram per cubic metre (μg/m3).


Delhi-NCR witnesses the highest pollution levels in North India as the next seven polluted cities are all from nearby NCR areas. Ghaziabad and Delhi are followed by Faridabad, Manesar, Baghpat, Noida, Gurugram, Meerut and Hapur.


"Delhi-NCR also saw a marginal increase in the average peak 24-hour pollution. The peak pollution rose significantly from the baseline among the cities in the south (24 per cent) and central Indian cities (7 per cent), despite the overall fall in the winter average," the CSE report was quoted in a PTI article.


Srinagar was the cleanest city in North India. Palwal in Haryana, Bathinda in Punjab and Alwar in Rajasthan had relatively less pollution levels. 


Here Are The Most Polluted Cities As Per CSE (Region Wise)


North - Ghaziabad
East - Siwan, Bihar
West - Ankleshwar, Gujarat
Central - Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh
South - Kalaburgi, Karnataka and Hyderabad, Telangana
North-East - Guwahati, Assam


"Clearly, the winter pollution challenge is not limited to mega cities or to one specific region. It is now a widespread national problem that requires urgent and deliberate action at a national scale.


"This requires quicker reforms and action in key sectors of pollution -- vehicles, industry, power plants and waste management -- to bend the annual air pollution curve and daily spikes," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE to PTI.


 


 


(With inputs from PTI)