Fossil-fuelled growth: India home to over 35% of world’s ‘dirtier & richer’ cities

BENGALURU: India may have taken the term “filthy rich” literally. Indian cities’ growth remains tied to polluting fossil-fuel use and consequent pollution while China and several other countries have pulled ahead on cleaner urbanisation, according to a study in Nature Cities in which researchers analysed 5,435 cities worldwide between 2019 and 2024 using satellite-based nitrogen […]

Pollution pangs: Respiratory medicine sales surge

NEW DELHI: Our battle with toxic air across cities is showing up sharply in medical bills. Sales of respiratory medicines, including anti-allergics and anti-asthma therapies, surged past Rs 1,950 crore in Dec 2025, the highest monthly level ever, signalling a troubling escalation in pollution-linked illnesses. The Dec sales were 10% higher than the corresponding month […]