India, Nov. 26 -- The district's air remained polluted round the year except during the monsoon months, with annual PM2.5 levels more than double the National Ambient Air Quality Standard, according to a latest satellite and ground-based assessment by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea). The district's annual PM2.5 average stood at 81.27 micrograms per cubic metre based on Central Pollution Control Board data assessed by Crea between March 2024 and February 2025, far above the national safe limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre.

Crea's analysis found that PM2.5 levels dipped close to the national threshold only during the June to September monsoon period when concentrations averaged 44 micrograms per cubic metre. With...