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Journalism of Courage
Mumbai’s air quality has shown significant improvement between 2020 and 2025, with the city’s good and satisfactory AQI, registering an increase in the total number of improved days from 16 per cent during the winters of 2021 to 56 per cent in January 2025, according to a study conducted by the Waatavaran Foundation. So the number of improved days increased by 40 per cent for the period.
In its analysis of winter air quality data between 2020 and 2025, the report has also found that the overall air quality doubled from 9 per cent to 18 per cent for the period. The findings — which focused on the pollutant PM2.5 — also revealed that the moderate air quality days hovered around the range of 31-33 per cent.
As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards, AQI readings between 0-50 are regarded as good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and above 400 is considered to be severe.
Mohsinkhan Pathan, senior project associate of Waatavaran Foundation, added that the days with ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ air quality has reduced significantly.
“Our study shows that poor air quality days decreased from 18 per cent to 7 per cent, while very poor days dropped from 14 per cent to just 2 per cent. This improvement can be attributed to sustained efforts in implementing air quality management strategies and increased awareness about air pollution control measures,” Pathan said, adding that sustained efforts for AQI management must be continued to ensure these positive trends continue over the years.
On Saturday, Mumbai’s air quality showed a significant improvement, with the overall AQI dipping to 93 (moderate). Of the city’s 23 stations, at least 16 stations logged an AQI below 100, while Colaba even registered ‘good’ air quality at 47.
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