Srinagar Air Quality Improves By 42 Percent But PM10 Remains Unsafe
Despite measurable progress under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Jammu and Kashmir continues to grapple with unsafe levels of particulate matter, particularly PM10, in its urban centres. Data from recent government reports show that while Srinagar recorded a 42.4% reduction in PM10 concentrations between 2018–19 and 2024–25, and Jammu registered a 21% drop over a similar period, both cities still exceed the safe national threshold of 60 μg/m³. This underscores the urgency for sustained regulatory momentum and deeper structural reforms to protect public health and build resilient urban environments.
The Union Government has allocated ₹151.97 crore to Jammu and Kashmir under NCAP until 2025–26 to improve air quality through a combination of infrastructure upgrades, emission regulation, and scientific collaboration. While the funding has helped establish a statewide monitoring network — including one continuous and 44 manual air quality stations — experts warn that these efforts may fall short unless integrated with sustainable mobility, clean fuel adoption, and better enforcement in industries and construction zones. Seasonal variations, including winter inversion and continued reliance on polluting fuels, are still major obstacles. Even with policy instruments like Bharat Stage VI vehicle emission norms, single-use plastic bans, and tighter emission standards for 80+ industrial categories, outcomes remain mixed. For example, Srinagar’s average PM10 concentration in 2024–25 was 76 μg/m³, and Jammu’s was 124 μg/m³ — both well above the National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
These numbers reflect gains but also suggest that the root causes — unregulated vehicular density, open burning, and incomplete transition to cleaner fuels — are not yet fully addressed. Urban congestion and patchy enforcement compound the problem. A key initiative underway is the establishment of a Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research Station at Patnitop through a collaboration between the Forest Department and academic institutions. This aims to enhance region-specific climate data and enable more targeted interventions. Jammu and Kashmir’s strategy also forms part of the larger national movement under NCAP, where over 130 cities are monitored. Encouragingly, 25 cities across India have recorded more than a 40% decline in PM10 levels since the baseline year, signalling that effective action is possible when monitoring and compliance go hand-in-hand.
Looking ahead, the air quality gains in Jammu and Kashmir remain both real and fragile. Without sustained commitment to clean transport, stricter emission checks, and public awareness, the region risks sliding back. Experts emphasise that air pollution is not just an environmental issue but a human rights concern, with over 12 lakh premature deaths attributed to it nationally every year. The challenge now lies in transforming interim success into long-term, community-driven resilience, where clean air is not a privilege but a guarantee for all residents.
