A total of 1,787 Indian cities failed PM2.5 standards as the pollution crisis spread nationwide. Millions now face dangerously high air levels throughout the year. With 44% of cities facing chronic pollution, this health emergency shows that toxic air is a shared national challenge that even coastal areas cannot escape.
India's air pollution crisis extends far beyond Delhi and other major metropolitan cities. From industrial towns to smaller urban centres, millions are exposed to dangerously high levels of pollution throughout the year. With 1,787 cities reportedly failing to meet PM2.5 standards and 44% of Indian cities facing chronic pollution, the crisis has become a nationwide public health emergency. The big question: Is toxic air now a shared national challenge, with even coastal cities like Mumbai struggling to escape the pollution trap? NDTV's Sneha Mordani reports.