CSE study on Pollution Levels in Cities and Towns

CSE study on Pollution Levels in Cities and Towns

Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has released a study analysing the difference in winter air pollution levels in cities and towns on the based on real time data from an online portal Central Control Room for Air Quality Management. It compares data of 2020-21 winter and the previous winters. The study analysed 99 cities. 75% of data completeness for two consecutive winters is the minimum criteria.

Major Findings of the Report:

1. The levels of PM 2.5 worsened in 43 of 99 cities when winter air pollution levels between 2020 and 2019 were compared.
2. In the aftermath of the Covid lockdown, several cities reported improved pollution levels. However, after the restrictions were significantly eased, pollution levels were back to pre-COVID-19 levels
3. The top 23 polluted cities were in North India. Among North region, Ghaziabad was the most polluted city.
4. Smaller towns and upcoming cities have higher winter pollution levels than the mega cities.
5. The cities with the worst pollution increase include Gurugram, Lucknow, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Agra, Navi Mumbai, and Jodhpur. Kolkata is the only megacity in this group.
6. Mysuru is the least polluted followed by Satna in MP and Kochi in Kerala.
7. Uttar Pradesh had eight cities in the top 10 which were most polluted. Ghaziabad and Bulandshahr topped the list.