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As winter receded across the subcontinent, March 2025 has failed to bring any substantial relief to India's ongoing air quality crisis, with only six of 240 monitored cities meeting the
World Health Organization's (WHO) safety guidelines for PM2.5 pollution. These findings have been noted by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) which is a
Helsinki-based non-profit think tank. It has been found that industrial town of Byrnihat in Meghalaya emerged as India's most polluted city in March, recording a monthly average PM2.5
concentration of 160 µg/m³ – more than 10 times the WHO's recommended daily limit of 15 µg/m³. It was joined by other chronic pollution hotspots including Hajipur (148 µg/m³), Talcher
(142 µg/m³), and Patna (138 µg/m³) in the list of worst-affected urban centres. Regional patterns revealed particular cause for concern in eastern and northern India. Assam accounted for
three of the top ten most polluted cities, while Bihar saw seven of its 24 monitored locations exceed India's national daily PM2.5 standard of 60 µg/m³. Odisha followed closely with
five of its 13 monitored cities breaching safety thresholds. Meanwhile, in the year 2024-25, Delhi recorded the highest annual average PM10 concentration (FY 24-25) at 206 µg/m³, followed by
Byrnihat (200 µg/m³), and Patna (180 µg/m³). "All these numbers are over three times higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 60 µg/m," the assessment
noted. The data did offer some encouraging signs, with 209 cities maintaining PM2.5 levels below India's national standard. The southern textile hub of Tirupur recorded the cleanest air
at just 11 µg/m³, demonstrating that effective pollution control is achievable. Other notable performers included Agartala (12 µg/m³), Aizawl (13 µg/m³), and the resurgent city of Bareilly
(18 µg/m³), which has seen dramatic improvements since being identified as a pollution hotspot in previous years. EXPERTS SOUND HEALTH WARNING Environmental analysts cautioned against
interpreting the marginal seasonal enhancement as evidence of lasting progress. "March typically shows better air quality as agricultural burning subsides and weather patterns
change," explained Manoj Kumar of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. "The fact that 98 per cent of our cities still exceed WHO guidelines shows how far we have to go
in addressing year-round pollution sources like transport, industry and energy generation," he added. Public health experts reiterated that India's national standards remain
dangerously lenient, with the permitted PM2.5 level four times higher than the WHO benchmark. Medical professionals reported continued spikes in respiratory emergencies throughout March,
particularly among vulnerable groups in high-pollution zones. The analysis was constrained by significant data limitations, with 28 NCAP cities still lacking continuous monitoring stations.
In several cases, monitoring equipment was found to be poorly located or non-functional, raising questions about the reliability of some readings. "We're essentially flying blind
in many urban areas," Kumar noted. "Until we have comprehensive, high-quality monitoring, we can't properly assess the effectiveness of our clean air strategies," he
added. As India moves into the summer months, attention turns to the looming threat of ozone pollution, which typically peaks during hot weather. Environmental groups are calling for urgent
action to strengthen emission controls and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy and transport systems before the next winter pollution season begins. The latest air quality data shows
that the country is still struggling to protect its citizens from hazardous airborne particles, despite concerted efforts under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).