New Delhi: World’s Most Polluted Capital for Four Consecutive Years

Current Context: On March 19, 2024, the World Air Quality Report by Swiss firm IQAir declared New Delhi as the most polluted capital city in the world for the year 2023.

• The report assessed the particulate pollution and found that the national capital saw an annual average PM2.5 level of 92.7 µg/m3, placing it at the top of a list of 114 capital cities in the world.
• This was followed by Dhaka in Bangladesh, with a PM2.5 level of 80.2 µg/m3.
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that annual average PM2.5 levels should not exceed 5 µg/m3.
• However, it’s important to note that air quality can vary from year to year due to a variety of factors, including weather conditions, government policies, and industrial activity.
• Efforts are being made to improve the air quality in New Delhi and other cities around the world.

Question:

Q.1 Which city was declared as the most polluted capital city in the world for the year 2023?
a. New Delhi
b. Dhaka
c. Beijing
d. Jakarta