Shillong, 22 Oct : As most Indian cities battle toxic smog in the aftermath of Diwali celebrations, Meghalaya’s capital Shillong has distinguished itself as the cleanest air city in the country, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of just 17, categorized as “good” and posing minimal health risks.
According to the latest national air quality data, Shillong topped the list of cities with the cleanest air, followed by:
Yadgir, Karnataka – AQI 24, Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh – AQI 25, Madikeri, Karnataka – AQI 25, Davanagere, Karnataka – AQI 29, Karwar, Karnataka – AQI 30, Gangtok, Sikkim – AQI 34, Raipur, Chhattisgarh – AQI 40 and Mysuru also recorded a commendable AQI of 41, keeping it within the “good” category.
In sharp contrast, major metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Mumbai continued to grapple with worsening air quality following Diwali festivities.
Delhi’s average AQI remained in the “very poor” range at 346 on Tuesday morning, with some areas like Bawana, Wazirpur, and Jahangirpuri crossing the 400-mark, as reported by The Indian Express. Last year, the post-Diwali AQI in the national capital stood at 359.
The Supreme Court had permitted the use of green firecrackers this year, but despite the restriction, thick smog and low visibility were reported across Delhi-NCR.
Meanwhile, Mumbai’s AQI slipped to 214, placing it in the “poor” category — its worst reading of the season since the withdrawal of the monsoon on October 10, according to media reports. Videos circulating online showed hazy skies and reduced visibility across the financial capital.
With most urban centres gasping under layers of smog, Shillong’s pristine air stands out as a testament to the region’s cleaner environment, abundant greenery, and relatively low industrial activity, offering a refreshing contrast to the pollution-choked metros.
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