Meerut Tops List Of Indian Cities With Worst Air Quality; Delhi-NCR Grapples With Poor Air

Meerut claimed the top spot in the list of Indian cities with the worst air quality on Monday, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin. The city recorded an Air Quality Index ( AQI ) of 382, categorising it as "very poor." The AQI is calculated based on a 24-hour average of 229 Indian cities as of 4 pm on October 23.

Following Meerut, Greater Noida registered an AQI of 299, falling into the "poor" category. Bharatpur took the third spot with an AQI of 280.

The AQI scale consists of six categories: "Good," "Satisfactory," " Moderately Polluted ," "Poor," "Very Poor," and "Severe." Each category is determined by ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their associated health impacts, referred to as health breakpoints.

To provide a clearer picture, on the AQI scale, air quality between 0 and 50 is considered "good," 51 to 100 is "satisfactory," 101 to 200 is "moderate," 201 to 300 is "poor," 301 to 400 is "very poor," and 401 to 450 is "severe."

The Delhi -NCR region, including most cities, experienced "poor" air quality. Delhi itself recorded an AQI of 263, with Bahadurgarh at 262 and Faridabad at 256. Manesar, neighbouring Gurguram, was among the top 10 with an AQI of 248. Noida and Ghaziabad registered AQIs of 229 and 220, respectively. In comparison, Mumbai had a better AQI than Delhi-NCR, standing at 177. Gurugram's AQI also outperformed its surrounding region with a reading of 182.

Delhi's AQI is expected to see some improvement after the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). However, it is projected to remain in the "very poor" category until October 26. The government recently placed Delhi under GRAP-II. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist VK Soni , the AQI was close to 300 on Monday, and there are hopes that the measures taken under GRAP 2 will help improve air quality.

GRAP represents a set of guidelines and measures designed to address air pollution in the National Capital Region ( NCR ) of India, which encompasses Delhi and its adjacent areas.

Air pollution: List of 10 Indian cities with worst air quality
Meerut - 382
Greater Noida - 299
Bharatpur - 280
Bundi - 268
Karnal - 266
Delhi - 263
Bahadurgarh - 262
Faridabad - 256
Jalgaon - 255
Manesar - 248