Which Cities Are Nearly Pollution-Free and Why They Stand Out
India continues to battle a worsening air pollution crisis. On October 30, 2025, more than forty of the world’s most polluted cities were in India, illustrating the scale of the problem. Smaller northern cities such as Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan and Siwani in Haryana recorded extremely hazardous air levels, while Delhi, though no longer topping global pollution charts, still suffered dangerously unhealthy AQI readings.
Yet amid this bleak picture, a surprising contrast exists — a handful of Indian cities remain nearly pollution-free, offering a rare glimpse of clean, breathable air and a blueprint for a healthier future.
Cities With the Cleanest AQI in India
Surprisingly, despite nationwide pollution concerns, several Indian cities record AQI levels between 5 and 55 — significantly lower than major metros.
| City | State | Approx. AQI |
|---|---|---|
| Bishnupur | Manipur | ~5 |
| Aizawl | Mizoram | ~8–10 |
| Tirunelveli | Tamil Nadu | ~33 |
| Naharlagun | Arunachal Pradesh | ~43 |
| Madikeri | Karnataka | ~44 |
| Vijayapura | Karnataka | ~47 |
| Thanjavur | Tamil Nadu | ~47 |
| Koppal | Karnataka | ~55 |
| Kannur | Kerala | ~56 |
| Gangtok | Sikkim | ~55 |
These cities outperform major urban centres like Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai and Lucknow, where the AQI often climbs above 200 during peak pollution season.
Why These Cities Stay Clean
Several factors contribute to their cleaner air:
1. Geography and Elevation
Many clean-air cities, such as Gangtok, Aizawl and Madikeri, sit at higher altitudes, enjoying natural airflow that disperses pollutants quickly.
2. Minimal Industrial Footprint
Unlike India’s industrial belts, cities like Tirunelveli and Naharlagun experience lower factory emissions and less traffic congestion.
3. Better Green Cover and Planning
Regions like Kannur and Thanjavur maintain green belts, open public spaces, and stricter zoning rules, ensuring pollution sources remain limited.
4. Citizens Play a Role
Public awareness, cleaner habits, and community involvement help maintain lower pollution in these regions.
What Larger Cities Can Learn
Although geography cannot be changed, India’s major metros can still adopt these measures:
- Expand urban green cover
- Enforce industrial pollution norms
- Promote walking and cycling zones
- Encourage real-time air monitoring dashboards
- Invest in clean-fuel policy and waste management
Cities that implemented these steps — such as Indore and Chandigarh — have already shown visible improvement in air quality.
While much of India struggles with hazardous AQI, many smaller cities and hill regions prove clean air is possible. Cities like Tirunelveli, Aizawl, Madikeri and Naharlagun offer a template: smart planning, low industrial load, community awareness and strong environmental focus.
Clean air is not a luxury — it is a basic public-health requirement. With consistent policy and community effort, more Indian cities can breathe easier, year-round.
Prerna is a seasoned journalist
