Swachh Survekshan 2025: From 7th to 32nd, Delhi’s alarming drop in pollution survey

New Delhi: The capital city's air quality continues to worsen, with scientists warning that toxic microplastics and heavy metals in the atmosphere are quietly eroding lung capacity and raising the risk of serious respiratory illness. Once placed seventh in the Central Pollution Control Board’s Swachh Survekshan 2024, the capital has plunged to 32nd place in the 2025 edition, marking a dramatic decline in just one year.

The latest survey, which assessed 48 cities with populations above one million, highlighted Delhi’s sharp fall of 24 positions. Findings confirmed that pollution levels remain far higher than World Health Organization standards, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations continuing at levels known to shorten life expectancy. Delhi scored 172.3 at the state level and 157.3 overall, reflecting its deteriorating environmental performance.

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Adding to the grim picture, a study by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute found that high levels of pollution in Delhi are cutting the average life span by nearly eight years. The report also assessed the progress of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, which aims to tackle emissions through stricter monitoring, tighter standards, and awareness initiatives.

While Delhi struggles, Ghaziabad has fared better, climbing to 12th position in the 2025 rankings. The city’s municipal corporation has prioritised street cleaning, dust control at construction sites, and the creation of green zones. Yet, experts cautioned that sustaining improvements will require long-term strategies, not short-term interventions.

Meanwhile, to improve data accuracy, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is preparing to relaunch its source apportionment study. This will track the exact contribution of pollutants from various sectors, enabling more targeted policies.

With the onset of winter, when pollution traditionally spikes, the Delhi government has fast-tracked its Winter Action Plan. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reviewed preparations with 30 key agencies, including the Delhi Development Authority, DPCC, Delhi Police, NHAI and DMRC. Seventeen priority measures were tabled, covering dust control, stubble management, industrial emissions and even experimental methods such as cloud seeding.

Officials were also directed to strengthen the capital’s “Green War Room,” improve complaint-handling systems, and step up public outreach. 

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Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) edged back into the ‘moderate’ range this week, with Tuesday’s level at 105, up 23 points from Monday. The CPCB expects AQI levels to remain steady, supported by north-westerly winds at speeds between 10 and 25 kilometres per hour.