NEWS – Madikeri, Karnataka, is India’s cleanest city with PM10 levels at 32 micrograms/cubic meter.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Study conducted by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
• Study assessed the impact of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on reducing pollution in India.
• 25 cities in Karnataka met NAAQS.
• Out of 130 cities, 28 lack continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations.
• Only 97 cities reported 80% or more PM10 data coverage.
• In 2024, 206 of 253 cities exceeded NAAQS, while only 47 cities met the standards.
• 61 cities reported some pollution reduction, but PM10 levels still exceeded NAAQS.
• Source identification incomplete: Only 50 cities prepared source apportionment studies.

Karnataka’s Progress

• Among states with more than 20 assessed cities, Karnataka excelled with 21 out of 25 cities meeting NAAQS for PM10.
• Outperformed states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Haryana where all cities exceeded NAAQS.
• Karnataka led the ‘Top 50 Cleanest Cities’ list.
• Madikeri stood out as the cleanest city nationally.