New Delhi, Nov. 6 -- As pollution levels in the national capital meddle between "very poor" and "severe" categories, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday said the public health crisis was "even worse" in parts of north India. He called for an urgent revamp of the National Clean Air Programme that was initiated nearly eight years ago.

"The top three most polluted cities in India going by the monthly average PM2.5 concentration were in Uttar Pradesh--Baraut in Baghpat district, Khora in Ghaziabad district and Gajraula in Amroha district," Ramesh posted on X, citing a detailed analysis published by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

The Congress MP said 13 cities in UP, 11 cities in Haryana, three in Gujarat ...