NEW DELHI: A recent survey, conducted by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago's (EPIC), noted that over 48 crore people in the Punjab-Bengal belt might lose life expectancy by seven years due to air pollution. The survey, which was conducted across 225 countries, named Nepal as the country with the worst air quality.

Terming India as the second-most polluted country in the world, the study stated that India has failed completely in complying with the pollution control norms issued by the WHO. As a result of this, around 40% of the country's population faces the risk of respiratory issues, the study said. It must be noted that a survey conducted between 2013 and 2017 had stated that the average life expectancy of the people in India has risen from 67 to 69. However, increasing air pollution might bring life expectancy down to 62 years.

As per the report, the country has witnessed a whopping 72% increase in air pollution over the last 30 years. Though there is a significant decrease in pollution over the last three years, the effect seems to be minimal. While Delhi has been named as the Indian city most affected by air pollution, Fareedabad occupied the second spot.