Kiera Jefferson
India has been reported to have the highest number of cities with the poorest air quality in the world. In 2016, four cities in Punjab—Ludhiana, Khanna, Amritsar, and Gobindgarh—were on the list of the 25 most polluted cities in terms of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels. In 2023, Mandi Gobindgarh was ranked as the 10th most polluted city in Punjab, followed by Ludhiana and Amritsar. Derabassi, a town in Punjab, was rated the most polluted city in the region, comprising Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, in 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most Polluted City in Punjab | Derabassi |
| Most Polluted City in Punjab in 2023 | Mandi Gobindgarh |
| AQI Level in Punjab on 25 August 2025 | 66 (Moderate) |
| Best AQI Level in Punjab on 25 August 2025 | 56 (Moderate) at 10:10 am |
| Worst AQI Level in Punjab on 25 August 2025 | 78 (Moderate) at 1:10 am |
| Punjab's Rank Among Indian States Contributing to Outdoor Air Pollution Burden | 1st |
| Number of Punjab Cities on the List of 25 Most Polluted Cities in India in 2016 | 4 |
| Punjab Cities on the List of 25 Most Polluted Cities in India in 2016 | Ludhiana, Khanna, Amritsar, and Gobindgarh |
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What You'll Learn
Mandi Gobindgarh is Punjab's most polluted city
Mandi Gobindgarh, Asia's iron and steel town, is Punjab's most polluted city. It recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 322, which is classified as ''very poor'. The industrial city was ranked as the 10th most polluted city in India in terms of PM 2.5 annual levels in 2023 and 2024. It was also among the top 10 polluted cities in the country in 2021, according to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) tracker.
Mandi Gobindgarh's poor air quality can be attributed to various factors, including industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and stubble burning in agricultural areas. The city's PM 2.5 concentration level was recorded as 56 ug/m3 (microgrammes per cubic metre) in 2021, which is above the World Health Organisation (WHO) daily permissible limit of 25 ug/m3 and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) limit of 40 ug/m3.
In 2024, the air quality in Punjab worsened, with several areas witnessing very poor AQI levels. Amritsar, for instance, recorded an AQI of 310, up from 220 the previous day. The air quality in Chandigarh was also classified as very poor with an AQI of 372, while Delhi’s air quality remained severe with an AQI of 418.
Despite the progress made by the NCAP in tackling air pollution, some urban areas in Punjab continue to face challenges with increasing pollution concentrations. The programme's revised goal of a 40% reduction in particulate matter by 2026 reflects the state's commitment to ambitious environmental targets. However, long-term planning is required to mitigate air pollution effectively, as it is not just a seasonal problem.
It is worth noting that Derabassi, a town in Punjab located 20 km from Chandigarh, was rated the most polluted city in the region comprising Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh in 2025.
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Derabassi is the most polluted in the wider region
Derabassi, a town in Punjab, has been rated the most polluted city in the wider region of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. It is located just 20 km from Chandigarh. Derabassi is the worst-performing city in the region, placing it among the bottom ten cities nationwide. Only eight cities across India were found to be more polluted.
In contrast, other cities in Punjab have shown significant improvements in air quality. Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Khanna are among the cities in Punjab that have demonstrated the most progress. Jalandhar, for instance, witnessed a remarkable 44.4% drop in PM10 levels between 2017–18 and 2024–25, while Amritsar achieved a 40.7% reduction during the same period. Khanna also recorded a notable 28.9% improvement in PM10 levels.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, aims to tackle air pollution in 130 non-attainment cities across India, including several in Punjab. The programme has shown progress, with reductions in PM2.5 and PM10 levels in select cities. However, challenges remain, with some urban areas experiencing an increase in pollution concentrations. The NCAP's ambitious target of achieving a 40% reduction in particulate matter by 2026 underscores the commitment to improving air quality.
Despite being a well-planned city, Chandigarh has shown no improvement in air quality over the years, with PM10 levels stagnating at 114 µg/m3. This indicates a lack of progress in implementing effective air quality measures in the city.
The industrial city of Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab was ranked as the 10th most polluted city in the country in terms of PM 2.5 annual levels in 2023. It was followed by other Punjab cities, including Ludhiana and Amritsar, which ranked 14th and 16th, respectively. These rankings highlight the persistent issue of air pollution in Punjab, particularly in specific cities, and emphasize the need for continued efforts to improve air quality.
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Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Khanna have shown the most improvement
Derabassi, a town in Punjab, was rated the most polluted city in the region of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh in 2025. Three other cities in Punjab—Mandi Gobindgarh, Ludhiana, and Amritsar—were also among the 20 most polluted cities in the country in terms of PM 2.5 annual levels in 2023. Despite this, Punjab's air quality has been improving since 2020, with all cities recording an AQI reduction compared to 2021.
The success of these cities can be attributed to various factors, including the implementation of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Launched in 2019, the NCAP aims to reduce air pollution levels in 130 non-attainment cities across India, and it has driven notable reductions in PM2.5 and PM10 levels in top polluted cities. The programme requires each city to develop and execute a Clean Air Action Plan targeting major pollution sources such as vehicular emissions, construction, road dust, waste burning, and industrial pollutants. The dedication of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the support of the state's residents in adhering to advisory measures have also played a pivotal role in these improvements.
While Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Khanna have made impressive strides, it is important to acknowledge that challenges remain. Urban areas may face fluctuations in pollution concentrations, and consistent monitoring is necessary to address these issues effectively. Nevertheless, the revised goal of the NCAP, aiming for a 40% reduction in particulate matter by 2026, demonstrates a strong commitment to ambitious environmental targets. With the addition of new air quality monitoring stations and strengthened monitoring efforts, there is optimism for further progress in the coming years.
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The National Clean Air Programme aims to reduce pollution
Derabassi, a town in Punjab, India, was rated the most polluted city in the region of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh in 2025. Three other cities in Punjab—Mandi Gobindgarh, Ludhiana, and Amritsar—were also among the 20 most polluted cities in the country in 2023.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in 2019 to reduce air pollution levels in 130 non-attainment cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. The programme aims to reduce key air pollutants, PM10 and PM2.5 (ultra-fine particulate matter), by 20-30% in 2024, taking the pollution levels in 2017 as the base year.
To achieve its target, the NCAP focuses on three key strategies:
- Strict implementation of mitigation measures: This includes prevention, control, and abatement actions to reduce air pollution.
- Strengthening air quality monitoring: The programme aims to augment and enhance an air quality monitoring network across India to better track pollution levels.
- Increasing public awareness and capacity building: NCAP aims to raise public awareness about air pollution and promote actions such as transitioning to battery-operated vehicles, waste reduction schemes, and integrated solid waste management strategies.
Since its launch, the NCAP has made significant progress in tackling air pollution. Cities like Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Khanna in Punjab have shown notable improvements in PM10 levels. Jalandhar, for example, saw a 44.4% drop in PM10 levels between 2017-18 and 2024-25. The programme's revised goal is to achieve a 40% reduction in particulate matter by 2026, demonstrating its commitment to ambitious environmental targets.
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Punjab has the highest contribution to outdoor air pollution
Air pollution is a severe environmental issue in India, with 21 of the world's 30 most polluted cities located in the country as of 2019. A study based on 2016 data found that at least 140 million Indians breathe air that is ten times or more over the WHO safe limit.
In 2023, three cities in Punjab were among the 20 most polluted cities in India in terms of PM 2.5 annual levels. Mandi Gobindgarh, an industrial city, was ranked as the 10th most polluted city in the country, followed by Ludhiana at 14th and Amritsar at 16th. Derabassi, a town in Punjab, was rated the most polluted city in the region, comprising Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, in 2025.
The main contributors to India's particulate air pollution include industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, dependence on thermal power for electricity, waste burning, and the use of wood and dung for cooking and heating by low-income and rural households. Traditional fuels like fuelwood, crop residue, and dung cake dominate energy use in rural India, accounting for about 90% of total energy consumption. In urban areas, traditional fuel use constitutes about 24% of the total. India's vehicles also emit pollutants four to eight times more than they would with less traffic congestion due to heavy traffic congestion in its cities.
To address air pollution, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in 2019, aiming to reduce air pollution levels in 130 non-attainment cities across India, including some in Punjab. The programme requires each city to implement a Clean Air Action Plan addressing major pollution sources. While the NCAP has made progress in tackling air pollution, persistent challenges remain, and the programme has revised its goal to a 40% reduction in particulate matter by 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Derabassi, a town in Punjab located barely 20 km from Chandigarh, was rated as the most polluted city in the entire region of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh in 2025.
Mandi Gobindgarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Khanna, and Chandigarh are some of the cities that have been ranked among the most polluted in Punjab and the country.
The main sources of pollution include vehicular emissions, construction and demolition activities, road dust, waste burning, and industrial pollutants.
