Ahmedabad air pollution has reached concerning levels after Diwali celebrations, with the Air Quality Index crossing 200 in 17 areas of the city, according to a report by Gujarat Samachar. Thaltej recorded the highest AQI at 276, followed by Hebatpur at 264 and Sola Station-2 at 262.
The reported readings indicate a sharp deterioration in air quality across several major parts of Ahmedabad. Gujarat Samachar attributed the increase to smoke from firecrackers and changing weather conditions, which have contributed to a concentration of pollutants in the city’s air.
Thaltej was identified as Ahmedabad’s most polluted area in the latest readings cited by the report. The AQI there reached 276, while Hebatpur and Sola Station-2 also recorded levels above 260. In total, around 17 major areas crossed an AQI of 200.
The report described the situation as serious for residents, particularly those who are more vulnerable to polluted air. Children, older people and those living with respiratory illnesses or asthma may face greater difficulty during periods of deteriorating air quality.
Doctors cited by Gujarat Samachar advised residents to take precautions while going outdoors. The recommendations included wearing masks during morning walks, at night and during other outdoor activities. The advice is particularly relevant in areas where the reported AQI readings were highest.
The timing of the deterioration links it to the aftermath of Diwali, when extensive firecracker use can temporarily increase airborne pollutants. The report also pointed to changing weather conditions as a contributing factor. It did not provide a separate breakdown of the pollutants measured or identify the monitoring agency responsible for each reading.
The spread of elevated readings across 17 locations means the reported problem is not limited to a single neighbourhood. It covers areas with different patterns of housing, roads and daily activity, making the citywide distribution of pollution an important concern for residents planning outdoor travel or exercise.
The report’s figures also show a marked difference between locations. Thaltej’s AQI of 276 was higher than the readings of 264 in Hebatpur and 262 at Sola Station-2. These figures place all three areas above the 200 mark cited in the report as a serious level of air pollution.
Residents with asthma or other breathing difficulties have been advised to remain cautious, while families with children and older people may need to limit unnecessary outdoor exposure during periods of poor air quality. The immediate steps reported by doctors are the use of masks outdoors and avoiding morning walks or nighttime exposure when conditions are unfavourable.
Gujarat Samachar did not report a separate municipal action plan, traffic restriction, pollution-control order or forecast for when air quality would improve. Further official readings and guidance from the relevant monitoring and civic authorities will determine how long the elevated pollution levels persist across Ahmedabad.
