47 out of 50 most polluted cities of the world in India, Delhi gets a high rank

47 of the world's 50 most polluted cities are located in India, according to live air quality rankings on AQI.in, which showed the national capital ranking on the 13th spot as AQI dropped to 282, categorised as 'severe'.

Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar topped the list with an AQI of 671, according to the AQI (US) system, placing it in the 'Hazardous' category. Haryana's Hisar and Sirsa followed with AQI readings of 428 and 400, respectively, while Bhiwani (395) and Uttar Pradesh's Budaun (381) also in the top five.

Also read: Delhi's air quality improves but remains in 'very poor' category; check IMD weather forecast and other details


The above cities were followed by Bathinda in Punjab (338) and Rohtak in Haryana (328) with hazardous air quality.

Several cities in the National Capital Region and neighbouring states also featured in the list, including Noida (284), Gurugram (282), Ghaziabad (282), Greater Noida (263), Panipat (261) and Faridabad (239). Srinagar, with an AQI of 294, was ranked eighth, while Patiala (285) is ninth.

The list also highlighted the concentration of poor air quality across northern India, with cities in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Bihar featuring among the 50 most polluted locations. Firozabad (235), Muzaffarnagar (235), Meerut (233), Mathura (233) and Bulandshahr (227) are among the other Uttar Pradesh cities on the list. Lahore in Pakistan and two Chinese cities, Hotan and Kashgar, are the only non-Indian locations in the top 50.

Pollution in Delhi and adjoining states records a sharp rise during the Diwali season amid vehiclular emission, firecrackers, dropping temperature and stubble burning.

Also read: Delhi's post-Diwali smog puts Rekha Gupta & Co's clean-air promise to test

Amidst rising pollution, the Supreme Court called for urgent intervention in the sharp increase in vehicular emissions, directing the governments of Delhi and three neighbouring states to apprise it about the steps taken to prevent the entry and operation of over-age vehicles within the National Capital Region.

The apex court directed the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Police to file detailed responses indicating short-term and long-term measures proposed or contemplated to mitigate vehicular emissions and reduce their contribution to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.

The bench also directed the apex court registry to list the suo motu case related to vehicular emissions and pollution in Delhi-NCR on November 23, along with a suo motu case concerning solid waste management and burning of crop residue and firecrackers which is being listed on November 25.