Pune reduces PM2.5 levels by nearly 21% since 2019, Pimpri-Chinchwad significantly more polluted: report

“These findings underscore the need for localised and coordinated measures to address pollution hotspots in the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR). Pune’s progress demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted interventions. Still, the disparities with Pimpri-Chinchwad highlight the urgent need for a more integrated regional approach to air quality management,” said Ronak Sutaria, founder of Respirer Living Sciences.

As per the report, improved public transport, stricter dust controls, and industrial emission regulations contributed to Pune’s progress. The higher pollution levels in Pimpri-Chinchwad, according to the report, reflected higher emissions from industrial zones and traffic congestion.

Traffic congestion at major junctions like Swargate and Shivajinagar and ongoing construction projects contributed to local spikes in PM2.5 levels. In Pimpri-Chinchwad, industrial activities in MIDC areas and vehicular emissions along arterial roads like the Pune-Mumbai highway were key contributors. Both cities experienced higher pollution levels during winter due to reduced dispersion and increased heating-related emissions.

Recommendations for Pune Metropolitan Region

The report provided actionable recommendations to address these challenges and build on the progress. These included developing a unified air quality management strategy for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, focusing on industrial regulation and urban planning, accelerating EV adoption across both cities to reduce vehicular emissions, enforcing stricter rules for construction activities and expanding road-sprinkling initiatives to reduce dust pollution.

The report also recommended increasing the number of air quality monitoring stations in Pimpri-Chinchwad and launching community awareness campaigns to encourage behavioural changes.

“A collaborative approach between Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad will be critical to ensuring sustainable air quality improvements for the entire region,” said Sutaria.

What the report said for other major Indian cities

The report said Mumbai saw a 2.6 per cent increase in PM2.5 levels from 35,2 µg/m³ in 2019 to 36.1 µg/m³ in 2024, reflecting a persisting air quality issue for the financial capital. As for Bengaluru, the report said the city recorded an 8 per cent reduction in PM2.5 levels, from 35.9 µg/m³ in 2019 to 33.0 µg/m³ in 2024. Delhi saw a marginal improvement of 1.3 per cent in PM2.5 levels from 108.4 µg/m³ in 2019 to 107.0 µg/m³ in 2024, the report said.