Bihars Begusarai Is Worlds Most Polluted City, Delhi Worst Among Capitals: Report

New Delhi: A new report has placed Bihar’s Begusarai at the top of the list for the world’s most polluted urban area, while Delhi has been named the capital with the worst air quality. India ranked third in air pollution among 134 countries in 2023, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter, trailing behind Bangladesh and Pakistan, as per the World Air Quality Report 2023 by IQAir, a Swiss organization.

Compared to its eighth-place ranking in 2022, India’s average PM2.5 concentration has increased slightly from 53.3 to 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter.

Begusarai has been highlighted as the most polluted city worldwide, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 118.9 micrograms per cubic meter, a significant jump from not being ranked in 2022. Delhi saw a rise in PM2.5 levels from 89.1 micrograms per cubic meter in 2022 to 92.7 in 2023, maintaining its position as the most polluted capital city globally since 2018.