The study underscores the health risks associated with increased urban air pollution, particularly in densely populated areas like the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Horseshoe Belt. The rise in PM2.5 levels has been linked to a significant increase in urban deaths, highlighting the severe public health implications of coal-based electricity generation. These regions, which host major urban centres and industrial hubs, are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.