Pune ranks tenth in national air quality rankings

“Pune performance in Swachh Vayu Survekshan has improved significantly due to steps taken by the civic body. The projects implemented by Pune civic body include air pollution controlling systems at crematoriums, promoting use of electric vehicles including the official vehicles for civic officers, electric buses for public transport system, setting up electric vehicle charging stations, expanding metro rail service and installing sprinklers at junctions to reduce dust in air,” said Santosh Warule, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of PMC.

The civic body also takes action against burning of waste, proper transportation and processing of waste, and installing Area Traffic Management System (ATMS) to ensure smooth flow of traffic on city roads that would reduce air pollution due to vehicles, he said.

“Swachh Vayu Survekshan” is an initiative by MoEF&CC to rank cities on the basis of implementation of activities approved under the city action plan and air quality in 130 NCAP cities. The objective is to create awareness among all sections of the society, Inform citizens about the health impacts related due to exposure, Comparing air quality conditions at different locations, and to achieve the goal of NCAP “Clean air for all”.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change rewards the top three performing cities in each category with a cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate titled “National Clean Air City.” This recognition is part of the National Mission for Clean Air.

These cities are being awarded for their significant improvements in air quality, achieved through the adoption of various best practices aimed at mitigating air pollution. The top rank gets Rs 1.5 crore, second rank gets Rs 1 crore and third rank gets Rs 50 lakh.

Some of the key activities thea the city need to implement include end to end paving on roads, Promoting mechanical sweeping, bioremediation of legacy waste, solid waste management, creating gardens from reclaimed dumpsite land, greenbelt development, Intelligent traffic management systems, Miyawaki forestation and clean fuel transition in industries.