10New Delhi, India
India’s capital, New Delhi, frequently ranks among the most polluted cities globally. The city’s air pollution is often extreme, especially during the winter months when crop burning from neighboring states combines with vehicular emissions, construction dust, and industrial waste.
These pollutants lead to smog, reducing visibility and causing severe health issues like respiratory diseases. The rise of automobiles and a lack of clean energy alternatives exacerbate the city’s air quality crisis. Public spaces in New Delhi also suffer from uncollected garbage and untreated sewage, making it one of the dirtiest cities on Earth.