Islamabad: An alarming analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reveals that, as of April 2025, 248 out of 273 Indian cities have surpassed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual PM2.5 limit of 5 µg/m³. This indicates that even if pollution levels were drastically reduced for the remainder of the year, these cities would still not achieve the global health standard.

The concept of an “overshoot day,” as used by CREA, marks the date when a city’s pollution has already exceeded safe annual exposure limits. In 2025, 109 cities reached this threshold in January and February, with an additional 24 cities in March and six more by April. This sequence underscores the extensive nature of the problem, affecting a wide range of regions across India.

Despite the severity of air pollution, only a limited number of cities are part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), leaving numerous cities without a structured plan to mitigate pollution. Delhi, in particular, remains severely affected with annual PM10 levels reaching 206, which is over four times the acceptable limit. The air quality crisis is not only impacting public health but also the economy, with Delhi’s tourism sector losing an estimated $2.6 billion annually.

The health repercussions are severe, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children, who face an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Critics argue that the Modi government is prioritizing political agendas over crucial environmental and public health issues. With over 90% of cities grappling with unsafe air, there is growing concern that the government is more focused on fostering Hindu extremism rather than addressing the urgent needs of public health and safety.

The analysis and its implications highlight a pressing need for policy shifts and increased attention to environmental health in India.