Faridabad Outranks Delhi in National Air Quality Survey, Secures 14th Position

Faridabad has surpassed the national capital, Delhi, in the latest Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026 results, climbing 33 positions to secure 14th place among cities with a population exceeding 10 lakh. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released the rankings, which assess cities on air quality governance and compliance measures.

Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that Faridabad achieved a final score of 179.7 in the survey, placing it ahead of Delhi, which registered a score of 172 and ranked 21st. Other major cities like Hyderabad and Jaipur were also ranked in this cohort. However, within the National Capital Region (NCR) peer group, Faridabad still trails Ghaziabad, which secured the 9th position nationally with 184 points. Noida, evaluated in a separate category for cities with populations between 3 to 10 lakh, ranked 8th in its bracket with a score of 187.5.

Ward-Level Recognition for Faridabad

Faridabad was the sole representative from Haryana to receive recognition in the survey’s ward-level state awards. Ward 28 and Ward 32 were acknowledged in the Category-I bracket for cities with populations above 30,000, while Ward 1 received an award in the 10,000-to-30,000 population category. These accolades highlight the effectiveness of local-level initiatives contributing to the city’s overall air quality governance improvements.

A Consistent Four-Year Ascent

The recent ranking marks a significant and consistent improvement for Faridabad over the past four years. The city was ranked 47th in 2023, improving to 21st in 2024, and moving to 19th in 2025, before reaching its current 14th position in 2026. This cumulative jump of 33 places underscores a sustained effort in enhancing air quality management strategies.

Green Initiatives Drive Air Quality Improvement

A substantial part of Faridabad’s progress can be attributed to its focus on increasing green cover. The Namo Van project, designed as the city’s largest green corridor, has transformed garbage-strewn green belts along the city’s periphery into urban forests through extensive plantation drives. These areas are conceptualized as vital oxygen zones for the city. Complementing this, the Eco Van initiative has concentrated on developing public spaces, such as town parks, into greener and cleaner environments. Efforts have also been intensified in pavement and footpath development in open areas. The Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) has bolstered dust-control measures, deploying anti-smog guns extensively across the city. Road sweeping and cleaning operations have been expanded to encompass both narrow residential lanes and major arterial roads, contributing to a reduction in airborne particulate matter.

“Faridabad’s improvement over four years reflects the ground-level work our administration has put in — from anti-smog gun deployment to the Namo Van and Eco Van green corridors. This is the result of consistent effort, not a one-time push,” stated Cabinet Minister and local MLA Vipul Goel.

Vipul Goel has been instrumental in spearheading the Eco Vans project, which involves converting underutilised spaces in residential areas into mini urban forests in collaboration with local Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). These areas have demonstrated consistently lower pollution levels over the past year, leading to the model being studied by the state government for potential replication in pollution-prone areas like Gurugram.

Focus on Governance Over Raw Data

The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan, implemented under the National Clean Air Programme, evaluates cities based on their air quality governance and adherence to compliance measures, rather than solely on raw pollution readings. This methodology means Faridabad’s significant climb reflects proactive civic and administrative actions, rather than being a consequence of favourable meteorological conditions alone.