After a brief lull, Byrnihat has emerged as the country’s most polluted city, overtaking Delhi and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR). Despite its severe air quality crisis, the highly industrialised belt continues to lack an effective pollution control authority and strict law enforcement, according to the latest report under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Data for 2025 shows Byrnihat recorded an average PM2.5 level of 100 micrograms per cubic metre, followed by Delhi at 96 and Ghaziabad at 93, ranking second and third, respectively.
Noida stood fourth. Other cities on the list include Gurugram, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Hajipur, Muzaffarnagar and Hapur. Byrnihat is home to major industries, including distilleries, iron and steel plants, cement factories and beverage manufacturing units. Spread across nearly 49.5 square kilometres, the area has around 41 factories emitting large volumes of particulate matter, the report noted.
The analysis found that only about four per cent of India’s chronically polluted cities are currently covered under NCAP, raising serious concerns over the scope and effectiveness of the country’s clean air strategy. Launched in 2019, NCAP aims to curb air pollution in the worst-affected regions through coordinated action and stringent measures against key pollution sources.