Air quality in India: PM2.5 levels tripled since September
Air pollution spiked across India last month, with Delhi's PM2.5 levels nearly tripling since September—way above what's considered safe to breathe.
The Indo-Gangetic Plain and NCR were hit hardest, showing just how tough the air got for millions.
Mumbai's air quality improved but still not safe
Dharuhera in Haryana topped the charts with the worst PM2.5 levels at 123 ug/m3, unsafe on most days.
Mumbai was better but still had local hotspots crossing into dangerous territory.
Out of 249 cities tracked, only six met the WHO's much stricter safety guideline.
Northern cities like Ghaziabad and Noida saw 'Poor' air quality
Northern cities like Ghaziabad and Noida saw 'Poor' or 'Very Poor' air quality on many days, while places like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu mostly enjoyed cleaner air.
Shillong stood out with some of the cleanest air in the country.
Pollution problem sticks around all year
This isn't just a winter thing—India's pollution problem sticks around all year because quick fixes haven't worked against constant emissions.
Even if some cities meet Indian standards, they're still not truly "safe" by global health guidelines.
Without real action, breathing easy will stay out of reach for many.