Severe AQI in Delhi-NCR, Toxic Air Across Metros, 5 Indian Cities in World Top 10
Air quality readings across India have reached worrying levels as pollution season sets in, showing that the crisis extends far beyond the National Capital Region. Peak air quality index recordings show Delhi at 353, Ghaziabad at 354, Sonipat at 373, Gurugram at 352, Faridabad at 344, and Noida at 262. Southern cities also face severe air quality challenges, with Chennai touching 326 and Bengaluru reaching 214. On the global city-wise AQI ranking, five of the top 10 most polluted cities are in India, including Sri Ganganagar, Delhi, Udaipur, Bengaluru, and Faridkot. Broadening the global list reveals that 13 out of the top 20 polluted cities are Indian, underscoring a nationwide challenge rather than a regional winter issue.