Gurgaon 7th, Charkhi Dadri 8th in list of cities with worst air quality this March

GURGAON: Charkhi Dadri and Gurgaon from Haryana, for a 12th month in a row, made it to the list of 10 Indian cities with highest air pollution.
Pollution data analysed by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) this March ranked Gurgaon on the 7th spot, with average particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) calculated at 81µg/m³. It was followed by Charkhi Dadri, with average PM2.5 level at 80 µg/m³, in the 8th position.
CREA, which studied air pollution data from 142 cities across the country, found that Meghalaya's Byrnihat (160 µg/m³) was the most polluted. Ghaziabad (112 µg/m³) in UP came second, and the others on the list were Hajipur (Bihar), Angul (Odisha), Nalbari (Assam), Guwahati (Assam, Nayagarh (Odisha) and Sasaram (Bihar).
PM2.5 levels in these cities consistently breached safe limits of 60µg/m³ set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and 15 µg/m³ by the World Health Organization.
Experts pointed out that Gurgaon and Charkhi Dadri have been listed among India's most polluted cities in monthly analysis since the past year.
"The repeated presence of Haryana's cities among the top 10 most polluted in India is a clear sign that current measures are falling short. Without immediate and sustained intervention, air pollution in the state remains a public health concern," said Manoj Kumar, an analyst at CREA.
PM2.5 — tiny airborne particles that can penetrate into the lungs — are cause and worsen respiratory issues and cardiovascular diseases. High exposure, even for a month, can pose serious risks to vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.
"Gurgaon, one of India's major cities, has seen a sharp rise in air pollution level that is paralleled by a growing number of respiratory disorders among residents. Pollutants can irritate every mucous membrane, making any pre-existing respiratory diseases worse, such as asthma, bronchitis and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Long exposure to polluted air can trigger serious health implications such as heart diseases and strokes," said Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, head of critical care and pulmonology at CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon.
CREA's report also included comparative analysis of PM2.5 levels recorded in March 2024.
Then too, Gurgaon and Charkhi Dadri made it to the top 10 most polluted cities list, though their rankings were worse, at the 5th and 7th spots, respectively. Gurgaon's PM2.5 concentration was the same at 81 µg/m³, and Charkhi Dadri – at 64 µg/m³ — was relatively lower than March 2025.
Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said states need to make a concerted effort to reduce air pollution in cities across the country.
"Stricter enforcement of emission standards, promotion of clean technologies and public awareness campaigns are crucial to combat this menace. Though some cities have witnessed a reduction (in PM2.5 levels), it is very minimal," he said.
Asked about the CREA's findings, officials of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) said on Tuesday that Gurgaon's air quality has improved compared to last year.
"There has been a reduction in pollutants, but it is true that the ground reality has not changed completely. Coal-based industries have been shifted out of NCR cities, and many have converted to PNG. Road infrastructure has also improved in the last four years, and awareness about pollution has also increased. But we still have miles to go. We are working towards achieving clean air," said Vijay Chaudhary, regional officer, Gurgaon (south).
Ajay Thakur, a resident of Sector 30 in the city, said living in a polluted area has become a way of life. "Air pollution is not just a seasonal issue. It's a year-round struggle that affects our health and daily lives. It's heartbreaking to see children and elderly suffer. We need more effective measures to ensure cleaner air for everyone," he said.