India is home to 18 of the 20 cities with the most severe increase in fine particle pollutants or PM2.5 from 2010 to 2019, according to this comprehensive and detailed analysis of air pollution and global health effects for over 7,000 cities, published by the Health Effects Institute (HEI).

A new report titled “Behind the Smokescreen” by Greenpeace India reveals that a year after initial nationwide lockdowns due to Covid-19, NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) pollution has increased in India’s eight most populous state capitals studied.

The World Health Organization attributes about 3.3 million annual premature deaths to outdoor air pollution in low- and middle-income countries. Comprehensive pollution monitoring in urban areas has been too costly for many developing countries; yet sparse information has hindered cost-effective pollution management strategies.

It is evident that as compared to lockdown period, air quality in terms of Air Quality Index has remained ‘Satisfactory’ during modified lockdown period at all the towns except at Jodhpur where it has worsened to ‘Moderate’ Category.