Shillong has once again distinguished itself as India’s cleanest air city, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of just 17 after Diwali a level categorised as “good” and posing almost no health risk. National data placed the Meghalaya capital at the top of the list of cities with the lowest pollution levels, followed by Yadgir in Karnataka (24), Tirumala and Madikeri (25 each), Davanagere (29), Karwar (30), Gangtok (34), and Raipur (40). In stark contrast, India’s major metros continued to choke under thick post-Diwali smog. Delhi’s average AQI soared to 346, falling under the “very poor” category, with some areas like Bawana and Wazirpur exceeding 400.
Despite the Supreme Court permitting only green firecrackers, the national capital region remained engulfed in haze and poor visibility. Mumbai also faced its worst air quality since the retreat of the monsoon, registering an AQI of 214 (“poor”) as visuals of the city showed grey skies and smog-covered skylines. Other urban centres across northern and western India reported similar deteriorations, with particulate levels far above safe limits.
Against this backdrop, Shillong’s pristine air stands out as a rare exception. Experts attribute the city’s clean environment to its dense forest cover, high altitude, limited industrial activity, and relatively low population density factors that continue to shield it from the pollution crisis gripping much of urban India.