Air pollution in India remains a hot topic every winter mostly. Air Quality Index (AQI) levels start increasing in different locations. Moreover, various factors influenced the air quality in India in different locations. Toda let us know about November trends in India’s Metro cities over the last four years. It includes the top 8 metropolitan cities in India—New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. Let’s start with the report by AQI.IN in 2024 as data collected from http://keywestbreakfastclub.com/winter-air-pollution-ranking.
November in India knocks on the doors with coming winters and festivals. Everywhere just celebration and the smell of winter. However, it remains for a short time because toxic air covers many cities. Here check how air quality in different cities of India remains in November.
Key Observations:
- New Delhi: The highest AQI levels recorded in 2024 on November 18 in Delhi. The lowest AQI readings in Delhi captured in 2023 on November 1, only for one day.
- Mumbai: The highest AQI in Mumbai captured on 14th November 2021. And the lowest AQI was on 27th November 2023.
- Pune: Pune AQI levels in 2023 remained in the “Good” to “Moderate” category throughout the month.
- Bangalore: In all last four years, AQI levels in Bangalore recorded in the “Good” to “Poor” category.
- Hyderabad: The highest AQI levels in November recorded in 2021 till now.
- Chennai: Air pollution conditions in Chennai mostly remained in the “Good” to “Poor” category in November.
- Kolkata: AQI levels in Kolkata recorded in 2023 on 11th November.
AQI Trends in India’s Metro Cities (2021-2024)
New Delhi:
Every year, AQI levels in New Delhi set a new record in winter. It usually starts changing after October as till monsoon air quality becomes better. The increase in AQI levels after October also contributed because of weather changes. Moreover, the festive season and stubble burning in the nearby areas increase the pollution levels. A drop in temperature captures more pollutants in the atmosphere resulting in long-term air pollution exposure in the city.
November air pollution conditions in Delhi from 2021 to 2024:
Findings:
- 2021: AQI levels in November 2021 mostly remained in the “Severe” to “Hazardous” category. And the highest recorded on 5th November 2021 at 700. Besides the lowest AQI in the same month was recorded on the 22nd at 314.
- 2022: Similar trends, highest at 555 on 3rd November and lowest at 211 on 9th November.
- 2023: highest at 528 on 4th November and 197 on 11th November.
- 2024: GRAP Stage 4 activated; highest AQI at 795 on 18th November
Mumbai:
The economic capital of India faces air quality of poor to unhealthy levels. It happens due to vehicle and industrial emissions in the city. But as compared to Delhi, AQI levels are still in the poor category as better than Delhi. Moreover, Mumbai residents have to face unhealthy or poor air quality conditions. This exposure can result in various health conditions. Still, air quality is a major concern in Mumbai because of its high population. Moreover, Mumbai ranked 37th in Greenpeace India 2018 as the most polluted city in India.
Findings:
AQI levels in Mumbai in November are concerning. However, 2024 November recorded a little better AQI levels than in previous years. As previous year AQI levels highest captured in the “Unhealthy” category.
- 2021:
- Highest AQI: 293 (Unhealthy) on November 14
- Lowest AQI: 78 (Moderate) on November 22
- 2022:
- Highest AQI: 236 (Unhealthy) on November 26
- Lowest AQI: 111(Poor) on November 18
- 2023:
- Highest AQI: 229 (Unhealthy) on November 24
- Lowest AQI: 51(Moderate) on November 27
- 2024:
- Highest AQI: 171 (Poor) on November 2
- Lowest AQI: 111 (Poor) on November 19
Chennai
Now let us know about Chennai, situated in south India. As situated on the Bay of Bengal and covered with three rivers, air quality levels in Chennai mostly remain in the “Poor” to “Good” categories. Still, some poor and moderate records leave an impact on the residents of Chennai. The major source of air pollution in Chennai is mostly vehicle and industry emissions.
Findings:
In the comparison of four years, November air pollution in 2022 recorded the highest at 158. AQI levels in 2022 become better and in 2024 again AQI levels increase in November as recorded 128.
- 2021:
- Highest AQI: 88 (Moderate) on November 5
- Lowest AQI: 23 (Good) on November 18
- 2022:
- Highest AQI: 158 (Poor) on November 30
- Lowest AQI: 18 (Good) on November 13
- 2023:
- Highest AQI: 105 (Poor) on November 11
- Lowest AQI: 27 (Good) on November 5th
- 2024:
- Highest AQI: 128 (Poor) on November 1
- Lowest AQI: 32(Good) on November 13
Bangalore
Bangalore or Bengaluru is the capital city of Karnataka known for its parks and nightlife. However, air pollution is not less in the cities situated in Southern India. Still, the air quality conditions in the city are much better than the India’s capital. Because AQI levels in Bangalore remain in “the Good” to “Poor” category throughout the year. However, the concern about air pollution in the city is air quality levels increase during or after November. Moreover, the major air pollution sources in Bangalore are road dust and vehicle emissions.
Findings:
In the four-year comparison, AQI levels in the city only increase to the “Poor” category. The highest AQI levels in 2023 recorded in the moderate category which is better in all four years.
- 2021:
- Highest AQI: 121 (Poor) on November 9
- Lowest AQI: 28 (Good) on November 19
- 2022:
- Highest AQI: 164 (Poor) on November 29
- Lowest AQI: 27 (Good) on November 2
- 2023:
- Highest AQI: 56 (Moderate) on November 11
- Lowest AQI: 16 (Good) on November 25
- 2024:
- Highest AQI: 107 (Poor) on November 21
- Lowest AQI: 20 (Good) on November 13
Kolkata
The capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata is famous for its history and culture. However, air quality levels in the city were recorded in the concerning levels. Every year, AQI levels in Kolkata start increasing during November. The levels increase from “Unhealthy” to the “Severe” category and cause an alarming situation. Various factors are responsible for the spike in air pollution in Kolkata. Vehicular and industrial emission has a large emission part.
Findings:
The highest AQI in the last four years recorded in 2023. AQI levels in Kolkata this year remain less than last year. In November 2024, the air quality index remained in mostly poor to unhealthy category.
- 2021:
- Highest AQI: 251 (Unhealthy) on November 22
- Lowest AQI: 70 (Moderate) on November 15
- 2022:
- Highest AQI: 274 (Unhealthy) on November 23 and 17
- Lowest AQI: 122 (Poor) on November 1
- 2023:
- Highest AQI: 347 (Severe) on November 11
- Lowest AQI: 124 (Poor) on November 1
- 2024:
- Highest AQI: 254 (Unhealthy) on November 26
- Lowest AQI: 77 (Poor) on November 11
Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the fourth most populated city in India and the capital city of Telangana. The increase in urbanization and economic activities resulted in high air pollution levels in Hyderabad. Road dust, vehicle, industrial and household emissions result in toxic pollutants in the air. AQI levels in Hyderabad mostly remain in the “Good” to “Moderate” categories. But air pollution has increased in Hyderabad since October.
Findings:
AQI levels in November for over four years recorded highest in 2021. In November 2024, Hyderabad’s AQI remained between “Moderate” to “Poor” levels.
- 2021:
- Highest AQI: 205 (Unhealthy) on November 10
- Lowest AQI: 30 (Good) on November 20
- 2022:
- Highest AQI: 132 (Poor) on November 22
- Lowest AQI: 65 (Moderate) on November 5
- 2023:
- Highest AQI: 123 (Poor) on November 13
- Lowest AQI: 40 (Good) on November 24
- 2024:
- Highest AQI: 133 (Poor) on November 20 AND 21
- Lowest AQI: 62 (Moderate) on November 10
Ahmedabad:
The largest city of Gujarat in Western India is Ahmedabad. It is also known as an important economic and industrial hub. But air pollution remains a concerning issue in the city. As air quality levels increase from October every year. The major sources of air pollution in Ahmedabad are vehicle emissions and coal-fired power plants. These resulted in various toxic pollutants in the environment.
Findings:
November AQI levels in Ahmedabad remained in the “Unhealthy” to “Poor” categories. In the last four years, in 2024 November AQI levels in the city are lower than previous 3 years. However, the lowest AQI levels are higher in comparison.
- 2021:
- Highest AQI: 280 (Unhealthy) on November 15
- Lowest AQI: 97 (Moderate) on November 20
- 2022:
- Highest AQI: 229 (Unhealthy) on November 4
- Lowest AQI: 89 (Poor) on November 19
- 2023:
- Highest AQI: 214 (Unhealthy) on November 10
- Lowest AQI: 55 (Moderate) on November 27
- 2024:
- Highest AQI: 209 (Unhealthy) on November 2
- Lowest AQI: 105 (Poor) on November 4
Summary
Overall, New Delhi’s air quality levels are higher than in other metro cities in India. Still, AQI levels in other cities are not less than in the “Good” category. It raises concern for each city and demands practical solutions to control air pollution.
