Problems
Gurugram is among world’s most polluted cities
Haryana's Gurugram is often called the city of the millennium of India. However, behind the beautiful name is a sick population. Increasing air pollution in the city has become a serious threat to human health. An IQAir report on the Global Air Quality Monitoring Platform and Greenpeace declared Gurugram the most polluted city in the world in 2018, and its air quality was 17 times worse than the World Health Organization's (WHO) safety limit. The content of harmful PM2.5 fractions in Gurugram's atmosphere exceeded 200-although World Health Organization standards state that the maximum daily average level should not exceed 25 µg/m3. The data show that there were only three days a year when air quality was safe in the city. Nevertheless, the government and political leaders have taken a careless approach to the problem. The political apathy in this area is evident from the fact that none of the key political parties that ran in the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections built their campaign on this critical issue.
Air quality monitoring stations
Gurugram currently has only two monitoring stations to check the air quality in the city. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has decided to install two additional air quality monitoring stations. City officials said that a "comprehensive" air pollution monitoring program is being prepared for the city after it is discussed with all stakeholders and the board to ensure that standards are strictly enforced.
Causes of pollution
The typical sources of air pollution involve emissions from vehicles, industries, thermal power plants, DG sets, and residential sources, among others. In Gurugram, other sources contributing to air pollution are construction activities, road dust, waste combustion, and seasonal stubble burning. Increasing dust from the Thar desert due to the ongoing destruction of the Aravalli range is also a concern. Gurugram is home to the offices of many large national and international companies, resulting in the movement of heavy vehicles around the small perimeter of the area, resulting in serious air pollution. It is also the center of more than 300 large and small businesses that often violate air pollution standards. Large-scale construction activity in the region also contributes to the dust problem. The limited public transport options in Gurugram result in high vehicle ownership and pollution. The city has one of the highest vehicle ownership rates in the country – i.e. 323 cars per 1,000 people, which is higher than in Delhi (88 cars per 1000 people). In Gurugram, 43 percent of the households own two-wheelers, and 33 percent own cars. Bus numbers have not increased appreciably in the city and are 50 percent less than the service level benchmark of 60 buses per lakh population (it was 31 per lakh in 2014-15). Another problem is the use of a large number of diesel generators. In addition to shopping malls, markets, and offices, thousands of residential units operate with diesel generators. The Haryana government estimates that Gurugram currently has more than 14,000 diesel generators. A Delhi Center for Science and Environment (CSE) study reported that the use of diesel engines increased Gurugram's share of particulate matter by 2.5 and PM10 by 30 percent. There are several dozen companies in Gurugram homes without electricity. These buildings run diesel generators around the clock. As a result, pollution is a big problem for everyone.
Health Impacts
Exposure to high levels of air pollution can hurt the health of the citizens. It increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. The impact varies with the nature and concentration of pollutants, exposure, health, and age of the receptor. Air pollution also causes several mental health complications such as impairment of cognitive abilities, increased risk of Dementia, and adverse effects on the development of infants’ brains. In addition, a recent study by Harvard University found that patterns in Covid-19 death rates generally mimic patterns in both high population density and high PM2.5 exposure areas. An increase of 1 μg/ m3 in PM2.5 is associated with an 8% increase in the COVID-19 death rate. The AQLI report by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute found that exposure to PM2.5 — the most prominent pollutant in the city air — is potentially reducing the lifespan of the average citizen in Gurugram by 8.8 years compared to 5.2 years as the national average. Therefore, if PM2.5 was brought to a level under 10 μg/ m3 prescribed by WHO Guideline, the citizens could then potentially add 8.8 years to their lives.
Gallery
6
Timelines
2026
March
Gurugram features in the top 10 most polluted cities in India. Gurugram was ranked India’s most polluted city for March 2026, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The city recorded a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 116 µg/m³—more than double the national safe limit under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The spike is being attributed to a combination of construction dust, vehicular emissions and seasonal factors such as low wind speed and temperature fluctuations that trap pollutants. While Gurugram has historically struggled with high PM10 levels due to rapid urbanisation, the latest data shows a sharp rise in finer PM2.5 particles, which are more harmful to human health.
February
The Gurugram administration has begun implementing its annual action plan for 2026 aimed at curbing air pollution, said officials, adding that the plan targets at least a 10% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 levels by 2026 compared to the 2021–2024 average of 196 and 96, respectively. According to officials, the plan has been prepared using data from three continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations operating in the city. Strengthening public transport forms a key pillar of the roadmap. Construction and demolition (C&D) waste will also be tackled under the plan by adding new processing units, promoting the use of recycled construction material, and making its use in government projects mandatory. To tackle road dust, over 600 km of roads under MCG will be redeveloped or strengthened in phases during 2026–27, said officials.
January
According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB’s) data, the district recorded an average air quality index of 301 in January 2026, with air quality remaining in the “very poor” category for 15 days, making it the worst opening stretch in the past four years.
2025
December
The Gurugram administration has rolled out a 2026 clean air action plan targeting a 10% reduction in AQI, PM2.5 and PM10 levels through expanded public transport, road redevelopment, EV infrastructure, and congestion control. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram has shared the plan with CAQM and sought ₹291 crore to implement key pollution-control measures. The plan was finalised in December 2025, and it will be implemented in multiple phases through short and long-term interventions throughout the year, said officials. Officials said the action plan has been prepared in line with guidelines issued by the central government, the CPCB and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the CAQM Act of 2021.
2023
October 30
Gurugram is in the grip of 'Very Poor' air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 314 to 324, according to SAFAR. Aam Aadmi Party Senior leader and National spokesperson Reena Gupta, in a press conference, said, "People in Northern India are suffering due to air pollution, but the Central Government lacks any action plan to control it."
February
The average air quality index (AQI) remains at "very poor" levels in most parts of the city. The average AQI in the city was recorded at 300. “Poor air quality will not be limited in winter, and thus the need for more stringent measures has increased,” said a senior official from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). It can be noted that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has introduced the second phase of the Gradual Action Plan (GRAP) in the Capital Region. This includes a ban on the use of diesel generator sets, as well as a ban on burning coal and wood in restaurants and eateries.
2021
November 20
Air quality in Gurugram again reached "severe" levels, with an AQI of 447, prompting the Haryana government to declare a public health emergency and issue a series of measures to reduce emissions, including restricting the use of private vehicles and temporarily closing some industries. Despite these efforts, air pollution remains a major challenge in Gurugram and the surrounding region, with sources ranging from industrial emissions and vehicular traffic to construction and open burning of waste.
2020
November 13
The Haryana government announced a plan to plant one million trees in Gurugram as part of its efforts to combat air pollution.
October 30
In October 2020, air quality in Gurugram reached "severe" levels, with an AQI of 426, prompting the Haryana government to ban diesel generators in the city.
2019
November 03
The Haryana government launched a pilot project to spray a mixture of water and enzymes on the streets of Gurugram to reduce dust pollution.
2018
November 21
The HSPCB installed two Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations in Gurugram to measure air quality in real time.
October 15
In October 2018, the Haryana government launched a campaign called "Clean Air for Gurugram" to raise awareness about air pollution and encourage individuals and businesses to take steps to reduce emissions.
2017
November 01
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) declared Gurugram the most polluted city in the state, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 365, which is classified as "very poor."
2016
November 05
In November 2016, air quality in Gurugram and the surrounding region worsened significantly due to a combination of factors, including stubble burning in neighboring states, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution.
