India’s rich culture and historical landmarks attract tourists from all over the world. In 2024, certain cities in India pose heightened risks for visitors due to factors such as crime rates, political instability, and other safety concerns. Here are the top six riskiest cities where tourists should be extra cautious. 

Delhi 

Delhi, known as the busy capital of India, is a popular destination and is now considered one of the riskiest cities for tourists for various reasons. Safety in Delhi is a concern due to the high crime rates; 41% of all crimes in the country happen here, especially theft, armed robbery, and harassment. 

Visitors should be cautious in areas like markets and public transport, where pickpocketing and fraud are more common. Being aware and securing personal belongings safely can reduce these dangers. Additionally, health risks and infrastructure problems add to the city’s risky reputation. 

Mumbai 

Mumbai is the commercial capital of India, with a population of over 21 million people. Despite its attractions like beaches, bustling markets, highstreets and popular spots it is considered a high-risk destination.  

High crime rates, transport scams, pickpocketing, natural hazards like  flooding and storms and terrorism remain concerns.  

Ghaziabad 

Ghaziabad, a city in Uttar Pradesh that was ranked as the second-most polluted city globally in an annual air quality report, is also seen as a dangerous place for a few reasons. The city struggles with serious air pollution from factories, cars, heavy truck traffic and the open burning of waste.

Moreover, it has a high crime rate, with 699 incidents per 100,000 people, adding it to the list of risky destinations.  

Patna 

Patna, the capital of Bihar is also one of the riskiest cities in India because of some issues, such as the fact that the air is heavily polluted due to dust from the soil, uncontrolled building projects and vehicle exhaust. These issues severely harm the health of its people.  

In 2019-20, there were more than 1.2 million cases of acute respiratory infections among the population.

However, Patna scores low on the NITI Aayog’s SDG Urban India Index, a tool created by NITI Aayog to track Indian cities’ advancement to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Nagpur 

Nagpur, also known as the “Orange City,” has both positive and negative aspects for tourist traveling India. Although experts considered it safe, some tourists still find it risky due to petty crimes such as pickpocketing and scams. The city reports a crime rate of 892 incidents per 100,000 residents.