Gurgaon: Haryana continued to feature prominently among India’s most polluted areas in May 2026, with Charkhi Dadri emerging as the country’s most polluted AQI station and four Haryana stations — Panchgaon, Jind, Faridabad and Bahadurgarh — also finding a place among the top 10, according to an analysis by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).The report, based on data from Central Pollution Control Board’s Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS), ranked the areas by their average PM2.5 concentrations during May.In Haryana, Charki Dadri recorded the highest PM2.5 concentration at 99 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), followed by Khora in UP at 94 µg/m, Panchgaon at 85µg/m, Modinagar (UP) at 83 µg/m, Byrnihat (Assam) at 79 µg/m, Jind 77 µg/m, Faridabad at 73 µg/m³, Mandideep (MP) at 72 µg/m, Bahadurgarh at 71 µg/m³ and Meerut at 70 µg/m.“Haryana’s dominance in pollution, even during non-winter months, highlights a structural air pollution problem rather than a seasonal one. The persistently high PM2.5 levels point to the growing importance of secondary particulate pollution formed from gaseous emissions. A comprehensive multi-pollutant action plan, combined with expanded NCAP coverage and stronger accountability, is now essential,” said Manoj Kumar, air analyst at CREA.The CREA analysis also showed that Haryana had 12 areas in the ‘moderate’ category (61–90 µg/m³) and one in the ‘poor’ category (91–120 µg/m³) based on monthly average PM2.5 concentrations, indicating that particulate pollution remained a widespread concern across the state despite the summer season.A day-wise breakdown further illustrated the extent of the problem. Charkhi Dadri experienced only one day of good air quality during May, recording eight ‘satisfactory’ days, nine ‘moderate’ days, four ‘poor’ days and nine ‘very poor’ days. Faridabad did not record a single good air quality day — it witnessed eight ‘satisfactory’ days, 20 ‘moderate’ days and three ‘poor’ days. Bahadurgarh recorded five ‘satisfactory’ days, 23 ‘moderate’ days and three ‘poor’ days, while Jind registered seven ‘satisfactory’ days, 16 ‘moderate’ days, five ‘poor’ days and two ‘very poor’ days.Charkhi Dadri’s poor air quality is likely driven by a combination of local and regional factors, experts pointed out. Located in Haryana’s semi-arid belt, the district experiences frequent dust storms during summer that resuspend large quantities of loose soil and road dust. The area is also influenced by mining, quarrying and stone-crushing activities in southern Haryana, which generate significant particulate pollution. Heavy movement of trucks on key transport corridors further add to the pollution load. The station, is located at the mini secretariat.Panchgaon, located in Gurgaon district and a long-standing pollution hotspot due to mining, construction activity and dust emissions, ranked third nationally with an average PM2.5 of 85 µg/m³. Across India, Charkhi Dadri appeared most frequently among the country’s 10 most polluted regions during May, featuring on 23 days. Panchgaon appeared 15 times, while Jind and Faridabad also featured repeatedly, underscoring the recurring nature of pollution episodes in the state.At the national level, while air quality generally improved compared to winter months, several areas in north India continued to experience elevated particulate concentrations driven by dust storms, resuspension of road dust, industrial emissions and local combustion sources. A majority of monitored areas remained above WHO air quality guidelines for most days of the month.The report also highlighted stark regional contrasts. While northern areas dominated the pollution rankings, several in southern and northeastern India reported significantly cleaner air. Mizoram’s capital Aizawl emerged as the cleanest city in the country with an average PM2.5 concentration of just 3 µg/m³.Among state capitals, Delhi remained the most polluted with an average PM2.5 of 53 µg/m³, followed by Patna and Chandigarh.
