Delhi recorded 57 ‘very poor’ air quality days in 2024-’25, Byrnihat was highest at 66

Delhi recorded 57 days when the air quality was “very poor” and 91 days when it was “poor” in the financial year 2024-’25, the Union Ministry of Environment told Parliament on Monday.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh said that Byrnihat on the Assam-Meghalaya border saw the highest number of “very poor” air quality days at 66. The town recorded the air quality slipping to “poor” on 98 days.

Patna in Bihar and Haryana’s Gurugram saw the highest number of poor air quality days at 132 each in 2024-’25, followed by Hajipur at 112, Asansol at 109 and Greater Noida at 105, said Singh.

An air quality index value between 201 and 300 is considered “poor”, while an index value between 301 and 400 is considered “very poor”. Air quality in the “very poor” category can lead to respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.

Vulnerable groups, including children under five years of age, elderly persons, pregnant women and those with respiratory or heart conditions, may experience adverse health effects even after short exposure.

In March, the World Air Quality Report pointed out that 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities in 2024 were in India, with Byrnihat topping the list.

Delhi was the most polluted capital city in the world....

Read more