Greater Noida Tops Pollution Charts, Ghaziabad & Delhi Close Behind

Latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that Greater Noida is currently the most polluted city in India, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 454 and landing in the “severe” pollution category. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} Behind it, Ghaziabad has been flagged as the second-most polluted city, while Delhi follows closely in third place among national worst air-quality rankings.

The trend marks an early and sharp onset of India’s winter pollution season, driven by a mix of low wind speed, dropping temperatures and persistent haze. These meteorological conditions trap vehicle emissions, industrial dust and construction debris near the ground, causing pollutant concentrations to climb quickly.

In Greater Noida, both monitoring stations run by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board noted elevated levels of PM2.5 and PM10, prompting concerns among residents of health impacts such as eye irritation, cough and reduced visibility. In Ghaziabad and Delhi, similar patterns have emerged, with prolonged “very poor” to “severe” category readings now becoming frequent.

Environmental experts say that the root cause lies not just in seasonal weather but in long-standing structural issues like unchecked construction work, heavy traffic flow, minimal green cover and industrial emissions. As the pollution season advances, authorities are under increasing pressure to issue timely advisories and enforce dust-control and vehicle-restriction norms more strictly.

With the AQI levels rising earlier than usual, residents across the National Capital Region (NCR) are being urged to limit outdoor exposure, use air purifiers, seal indoor spaces and heed health warnings. The latest CPCB bulletin serves as a sharp reminder that the region’s air-quality crisis is re-emerging — and this year, it’s arriving sooner than expected.