The ten worst cities

30/08/2003
Down To Earth

Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Vehicles and industries are major sources of pollution. The city had 13.05 lakh vehicles in 2002

• PM10, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and SO₂ are major concerns

Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
• Major pollution sources: vehicles and indusry; significant pollution: electric generators

• Major pollution concerns: Respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) and SPM

Solapur, Maharashtra
Major sources: vehicles and natural dust

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
• Major sources: vehicles (5.4 lakh vehicles in 2002; only 1.7 lakhs in 1990)

• High RSPM and SPM levels: major concerns

• Highest growth in tractors; 184 per cent growth in two-wheelers

Delhi
• 35.51 lakh vehicles registered by 2002; only 16.37 lakh vehicles in 1990. Highest growth in passenger cars followed by buses and two-wheelers during 1990-2002

• Matters of concern: CO, benzene, NO₂, RSPM, PM2.5 and SPM levels

• Arrested RSPM levels during 1998-2001, but still exceed desirable levels

Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Major concern: vehicles (6.41 lakhs in 2002 compared to only 2.28 lakhs in 1990)

• Matter of concern: RSOPMand SPM levels

Kolkata, West Bengal
• Major sources: vehicles and industries (10.37 vehicles in 2002 compared to only 5.48 in 1990)

• Major concern: RSPM, SPM and NO₂

• Highest increase of 280 per cent increase in case of autos and tempos during 1990 to 2002

• March 2003: Calcutta High Court ordered that all vehicles to meet Bharat Stage II norms by March next year

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Major source: vehicles (1.1 lakh vehicles registered in1992. They increased to 2.7 lakh by 2000)

Dehradun, Uttaranchal
• Major source: vehicles and natural dust

• RSPM and SPM levels are matters of concern

Kota, Rajasthan
• Major sources: vehicles and industries

• Major concerns: NO₂, RSPM and SPM levels.

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