Ghaziabad becomes the most polluted city of the country, many cities of Delhi-NCR are in the top list, the report revealed
This time in the winter season, Ghaziabad remained the most polluted city in the country in terms of air pollution. According to the latest report of the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the highest level of pollution was recorded in Ghaziabad between November 2025 and February 2026. The average level of PM 2.5 in the city during this period was around 184 micrograms per cubic metre, the report said. This figure is almost three times more than India’s national air quality standard.
The report also said that Ghaziabad’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ category throughout the winter season. Especially for many days in the month of January, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded between 400 and 450. Due to continuous very poor air quality, Ghaziabad has reached the first place in the entire country in terms of pollution. According to experts, low temperature in winter, slow wind, smoke emanating from vehicles and industries and activities like burning of stubble in the surrounding areas further increase pollution.
Noida and Delhi stood second and third
After Ghaziabad, many cities of NCR were also included in the top polluted cities in the list of CREA. According to the report, Noida stood at second place, Delhi at third place, Gurugram at fourth place, Greater Noida at fifth place. Apart from this, cities like Bahadurgarh and Meerut were also included in this list with high pollution levels. According to the report, many cities of the National Capital Region (NCR) were included in the top list of the most polluted cities of the country, which shows the serious situation of increasing air pollution in the region.
Wind speed decreases in winter
According to experts, pollution increases rapidly in winter due to reduced wind speed, formation of dust, industrial emissions and smog. During cold weather, smoke and fog combine to form a thick layer of smog, due to which pollution remains in the air for a long time.
According to reports and hospital data, the number of patients with respiratory diseases increased rapidly from November 2025 to February 2026. During this period, patients mainly complained of problems like asthma, bronchitis, allergy, throat infection and eye irritation. Persistent ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ levels of AQI over a long period of time have a serious impact on the respiratory system and eye health.
According to experts, reduced wind speed in winter, formation of dust, industrial emissions and smog increase pollution rapidly. During cold weather, smoke and fog combine to form a thick layer of smog, due to which air pollution remains in the air for a long time.
Being a metro city in the National Capital Region (NCR), high population and excessive number of vehicles also makes pollution more serious. During this period, its impact on people’s health was also clearly visible. The number of patients suffering from respiratory diseases increased rapidly in the hospitals of Ghaziabad and surrounding cities. Patients mainly complained of asthma, bronchitis, allergies, throat infections and eye irritation.
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