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Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country; Chandigarh improves to ‘poor’

According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 4 pm on December 21, based on the 24-hour average, Panchkula recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 339, triggering serious public health concerns.

2 min readPanchkulaDec 22, 2025 09:20 AM IST

Panchkula’s air quality slipped to ‘Very Poor’ on Sunday, ranking it the country’s fourth most polluted city. (File Photo)

Air quality in Panchkula deteriorated sharply on Sunday, pushing the city into the ‘Very Poor’ category and making it the fourth most polluted city in the country.

According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 4 pm on December 21, based on the 24-hour average, Panchkula recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 339, triggering serious public health concerns.

Only Delhi at 377, Ghaziabad at 364 and Singrauli at 341 reported worse air quality than Panchkula. The city was followed closely by Rohtak at 337 and Baddi at 334, underlining the widespread pollution across north and central India.

Other cities reporting ‘Very Poor’ air quality included Balasore at 333, Greater Noida at 329, Gurugram at 328, Noida at 327, Dharuhera at 326, Jind at 322, Angul at 318, Gummidipoondi at 316 and Karna at 302.

In contrast, neighbouring Chandigarh witnessed a marginal improvement. The city recorded an AQI of 217, placing it in the ‘Poor’ category, an improvement from Saturday when air quality had slipped into the ‘Very Poor’ range. Despite the improvement, pollution levels in Chandigarh continue to remain well above safe limits.

Environmental experts attributed the high pollution levels across the region to cold weather conditions, low wind speed, temperature inversion and the absence of rainfall, which together trap pollutants close to the ground.

Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor, Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, said fog and smog were preventing the dispersion of pollutants. He advised people, especially sensitive groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions or those who have recently undergone surgery, to take precautions.

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“They should avoid pollution hotspots such as areas with heavy traffic or high vehicle density and refrain from early morning walks. Light exercise should be done only when weather conditions improve,” he said.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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