Hyperlocal monitoring finds critical pollution hotspots in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad

The report leverages data from the Google Maps Air Quality API, part of Google Air View+, and the AtlasAQ platform

3 min readPuneUpdated: Dec 6, 2024 06:59 PM IST

PM2.5 – particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter – is a leading contributor to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, severely affecting public health.

A climate-tech startup released a report Friday that revealed critical pollution hotspots in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, with PM2.5 levels in some areas significantly exceeding the national safety standards.

The report leverages data from the Google Maps Air Quality API, part of Google Air View+, and the AtlasAQ platform.

PM2.5 – particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter – is a leading contributor to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, severely affecting public health.

“The aim of the report was to highlight pollution trends across 10 major cities in India using hyperlocal monitoring techniques from November 1-30, this year,” Ronak Sutaria, founder and CEO of climate-tech startup Respirer Living Sciences, said.

The report provides a 500×500 metre resolution of air quality trends. These innovative technologies revealed pollution patterns offering actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and citizens, Sutaria pointed out.

Vehicular congestion, urban construction, and rapid industrialisation were identified as major contributors to the pollution hotspots in both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. In Pune, Revenue Colony (Shivajinagar), Hadapsar, and Transport Nagar-Nigdi emerged as critical pollution zones, with PM2.5 levels ranging between 60-100 µg/m³ in affected areas. Meanwhile, in Pimpri-Chinchwad – Thergaon, Savta Mali Nagar, and Gavalinagar recorded PM2.5 levels in excess of 115 µg/m³.

According to Professor Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Chair, Steering Committee, National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), hyperlocal air quality monitoring bridges the gap between traditional broad-scale assessments and the localised realities of air pollution. “By providing fine-grained, real-time data, this approach enables us to pinpoint pollution sources with accuracy and design targeted interventions that can improve public health outcomes,” he said.

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MPCB, district collector urged to refrain from permitting RMC plants, brick kilns

Shekhar Singh, Commissioner, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, said that agencies like civic administrations, PMRDA, and others will have to work together to improve air quality. “As a preventive measure, we have written to the district collector and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board authorities to stop permitting new Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plants and brick kilns. The dust from RMC plants can settle on neighbouring buildings, residences, and even water sources impacting health. Measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle air pollution have already been taken up. At PCMC, we have 35 air quality analyzers as part of the monitoring activity,” he said.

Mangesh Dighe, Environment Officer, Pune Municipal Corporation, said two more air quality monitors were being added to the existing 13 to detect and report specific air pollutants.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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