Seven Odisha Towns Among India’s Most Polluted as Air Quality Slips to ‘Very Poor’

Bhubaneswar: Air quality worsened sharply across several urban centres on Friday, with seven towns in Odisha featuring among the 10 most polluted cities in the country, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Talcher in Angul district topped the national pollution chart, recording a severe Air Quality Index (AQI) of 380. Angul town followed closely as the second most polluted city in India with an AQI of 346.

Other Odisha towns reporting ‘very poor’ air quality included Cuttack (324), Balasore (318), Bhubaneswar (317), Baripada (312) and Keonjhar (311), reflecting a widespread deterioration in air conditions across the state.

Outside Odisha, Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh (AQI 341), Bikaner in Rajasthan (329) and Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh (320) also fell under the ‘very poor’ category.

Environmental experts warned that sustained exposure to such pollution levels can trigger serious health issues, including respiratory ailments, aggravated asthma and reduced lung function. Children, senior citizens and individuals with existing health conditions have been advised to restrict outdoor activities.

The rising pollution levels have renewed concerns over industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, coal-based operations and inadequate pollution control measures, particularly in industrial hubs such as the Angul–Talcher region, which has a significant mining and heavy industry presence.