On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the city’s “Green Budget” for the fiscal year 2026–27, allocating 21% of the budget towards pollution reduction, environmental protection, and sustainability initiatives. Among the key proposals are the development of dust-free roads, the expansion of electric mobility options, and the implementation of real-time air quality monitoring systems. These measures aim to prioritize clean air within the governance framework of the city.

World Air Quality Report Findings

Coinciding with the announcement of the budget, the IQAir World Air Quality Report for 2025 was released, highlighting that Delhi remains one of the most polluted cities worldwide, with PM2.5 levels exceeding ten times the safety limits set by the World Health Organization. While Delhi has reported an approximate 8% decline in its average annual PM2.5 levels, decreasing from 108.3 in 2024 to 99.6 in 2025, these figures still significantly surpass the permissible limits established by health authorities.

Analysis of Air Quality Trends Across Indian Metros

The 2025–26 Economic Survey for Delhi indicates a gradual increase in the number of days with cleaner air, rising from 159 days in 2018 to 200 days in 2025. However, this improvement in air quality is not mirrored across all major metropolitan areas in India. Bengaluru, like Delhi, experienced a notable reduction in PM2.5 levels, showing an 8.3% decrease. In contrast, other cities reported alarming trends, with Kolkata witnessing an increase of 11.8%, Hyderabad rising by 8.8%, and Mumbai up by 1.5%. Chennai displayed the most significant rise, with PM2.5 levels increasing sharply by 20.4% in one year.

Understanding PM2.5 and Its Health Impacts

Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny inhalable particles that can include sulphate, nitrates, ammonia, black carbon, and mineral dust, among others. PM is categorized by size, with PM2.5 and PM10 being the most prevalent. Prolonged exposure to high levels of particulate matter can lead to severe health issues, including reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and the worsening of asthma. Chronic exposure to PM2.5 raises the risk of noncommunicable diseases, including strokes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer.

Life Expectancy Affected by Air Quality

A study from the University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index illustrates the impact of air pollution on life expectancy across major cities. In Delhi, poor air quality is estimated to reduce average life expectancy by around 8.2 years, leading to a collective loss of nearly 155 million years of life among its residents. Other cities also experience significant reductions, with Kolkata residents losing approximately 4.1 years, Hyderabad 3.2 years, Mumbai 3.1 years, and both Bengaluru and Chennai losing about 2 to 2.2 years. These metrics reinforce the pressing need for continuous and effective environmental interventions.

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