Pune has witnessed a worrying rise in air pollution levels over the past few months, with residents breathing unhealthy air on nearly two-thirds of the days between February and April this year. According to recent data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), 57 out of 89 days during this period recorded PM10 levels above the safe daily threshold.
Air quality data from the Central Pollution Control Board shows that Pune’s pollution levels breached safe limits for three consecutive months. February recorded an average PM10 concentration of 127 µg/m³, followed by 112 µg/m³ in March—both surpassing the NAAQS limit of 100 µg/m³. In April, air quality further deteriorated, with PM10 and the more dangerous PM2.5 levels rising above 2024 figures. The worsening trend signals a deepening air pollution crisis in the city, driven largely by vehicular emissions, road dust, and construction activities.
PM10, comprising coarse particulate matter primarily from road dust and construction, poses significant risks to respiratory health. PM2.5, made up of even finer particles originating from vehicular emissions and biomass burning, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to these pollutants not only heightens the risk of respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis but also contributes to heart disease, impaired lung development, and even cancer.
Despite the implementation of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and expenditure of approximately Rs 222 crore under the scheme, Pune has consistently failed to meet national air quality benchmarks. Experts say this points to gaps in enforcement and the ineffectiveness of short-term, technology-driven solutions like mist fountains and fog cannons, which lack scientific backing.
Environmental analysts are urging a major overhaul of the city’s clean air strategy. A sustainable path forward, they argue, lies in enhancing public transport networks like the Pune Metro and PMPML bus services, boosting pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and enforcing strict controls on open burning and dust emissions at construction sites. Active citizen participation and civil society engagement are seen as critical to achieving these outcomes.
With winter approaching—a season when air quality typically deteriorates due to atmospheric inversion and increased emissions—the city has a narrow window to act. By prioritising sustainable mobility, limiting pollution at its source, and shifting focus from reactive to preventive measures, Pune has the opportunity to safeguard public health and set a precedent for other Indian cities grappling with similar challenges.
