Kiera Jefferson
Bangalore and Mumbai are two of the most populous cities in India, with the former being the third-most populous city in the country. A city's population is often directly proportional to the number of vehicles on its roads, and vehicle emissions are a major contributor to air pollution. While Bangalore's air quality is better than Mumbai's, it still has a long way to go in terms of effectively reducing the number of poor-quality cars and buses and encouraging the use of public transportation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bangalore's air pollution compared to Mumbai's | Bangalore's air pollution is better than Mumbai's, averaging about 40% of pollution leader Delhi's, making it one of the least polluted major cities in India. |
| Bangalore's air quality in 2018 | Bangalore's air quality worsened by 7% in 2018 compared to 2017, with the city's air pollution at about four times the World Health Organization's annual limit. |
| Bangalore's air quality ranking in India | Bangalore ranks 82nd out of all cities in India in terms of air pollution. |
| Bangalore's air quality ranking worldwide | Bangalore is the 361st most polluted city in the world. |
| Bangalore's PM2.5 rating | Bangalore's PM2.5 rating is 32.6 µg/m³, which exceeds the World Health Organization's annual limit every month. |
| Mumbai's PM2.5 levels in the morning | Mumbai's PM2.5 levels reach 48.61 μg/m3 in the morning, with the air quality worsening after 5 am and improving after 8 am. |
| Sources of Bangalore's pollution | The main sources of Bangalore's pollution are roads, including vehicles, road dust, soot, and exhaust fumes. |
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What You'll Learn
Bangalore's air pollution is worse than Mumbai's
Bangalore, as the third most populous city in India, has a large number of vehicles on the road, which contributes to its poor air quality. Many of these vehicles fall far below the quality control standards of countries like the United States or Australia. The use of diesel in combination with outdated engines in older vehicles leads to the creation of black carbon, a primary component of soot. This soot is created by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and organic matter. Black carbon further combines with other chemicals produced by vehicle emissions, such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone, to create a multitude of pollutants detrimental to human health.
The effects of Bangalore's poor air quality are evident in the health of its citizens. Studies have shown that the fine particulate matter in the air, known as PM2.5, raises blood pressure, inflammation, and rates of heart attacks and strokes. This particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. While Bangalore's air pollution is not as hazardous as other heavily polluted Indian cities, it still needs improvement. Certain months in 2019 were recorded as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups,' and one month was deemed 'unhealthy' by the World Health Organization, with potential negative health effects for all residents.
Mumbai, on the other hand, experiences its worst air pollution at 8 am, with PM 2.5 levels reaching 48.61 μg/m3. The air quality improves as the day progresses, with the best air quality registered at 5 pm, when PM 2.5 levels drop to 22.38 μg/m3. While Mumbai's air pollution is also a cause for concern, Bangalore's air pollution levels are relatively worse, impacting the health and well-being of its citizens.
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Bangalore's air quality worsened by 7% in 2018
Bangalore is one of the least polluted major cities in India. However, in 2018, Bangalore's air quality worsened by 7% compared to 2017. This put Bangalore at about four times the World Health Organization's annual limit. The data showed that the air quality in 2018 was worse than in 2017 all year, except for a brief period in the summer.
Bangalore's air pollution averages about 40% of the pollution level of Delhi, which is the most polluted city in India. Despite being less polluted than Delhi and Mumbai, Bangalore's PM2.5 levels exceed the World Health Organization's annual limit every month of the year, even in the cleanest month. PM2.5 refers to particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Studies have shown that PM2.5 raises blood pressure, inflammation, and rates of heart attacks and strokes.
The poor air quality in Bangalore is attributed to various factors, including increased industrial activity on the outskirts of the city and the use of a high number of diesel generator sets. A study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also revealed that Bengaluru recorded the second-worst pollution due to road dust and vehicle emissions among six major Indian cities, including Delhi and Pune.
While Bangalore's air quality worsened in 2018, it is important to note that the city's pollution levels are still significantly lower than those of other major cities in India, such as Delhi and Pune. Additionally, the effectiveness of wearing masks and using air purifiers to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution has been demonstrated in placebo-controlled studies.
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Bangalore's PM2.5 exceeds the World Health Organization's annual limit
Bangalore's air quality is relatively better than that of other major Indian cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. However, Bangalore's PM2.5 levels exceed the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual limit every month of the year, even in the cleanest month.
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 microns. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Studies have linked PM2.5 exposure to increased blood pressure, inflammation, and higher rates of heart attacks and strokes. Bangalore's PM2.5 levels are of particular concern, as they consistently surpass the WHO guidelines.
A report by Greenpeace India, 'Spare the Air-2', highlighted serious health concerns due to elevated PM2.5 levels in ten major cities of Southern India, including Bengaluru. The report found that Bengaluru's monthly average PM2.5 levels were 5 to 6 times higher than the WHO guidelines in all months, significantly exceeding the recommended limits.
Bengaluru's high pollution levels can be attributed to increased industrial activity on the city's outskirts and a high number of diesel generator sets in use. Despite being better than some other Indian cities, Bangalore's PM2.5 pollution remains a health hazard, and efforts are needed to bring it within acceptable limits.
While Bangalore's air quality showed some improvement in 2020, with a 19% increase compared to 2019, it still averaged about three times the WHO annual limit. The COVID-19 lockdown positively impacted air quality, but pollution levels started peaking in the winter months. Bangalore's PM2.5 levels remain a persistent issue, and it is crucial to address them to safeguard the health of the city's residents.
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Bangalore's pollution is caused by road dust and vehicle emissions
Bangalore's air quality is impacted by a range of factors, with road dust and vehicle emissions being key contributors. Studies have identified transportation and road dust as the primary sources of air pollution in the city.
Road dust, caused by frequent roadworks and left untarred for extended periods, is a significant issue. The resuspension of road dust accounts for 17% to 51% of Bangalore's air pollution. This is further exacerbated by the use of diesel generator sets, which are prevalent due to frequent power cuts. The use of diesel generators contributes to increased emissions of NOx and SO2, which are precursors to secondary particulate matter.
Vehicle emissions are another major factor in Bangalore's air pollution. The number of vehicles on the road and poor road conditions contribute to turbulence and increased pollution levels. Bangalore's annual mean PM2.5 mass concentration exceeds the World Health Organization's annual limit every month, posing health risks to residents.
To address these issues, studies have recommended a multi-pronged approach. This includes the deployment of electric vehicles with accessible charging stations, proper implementation of the vehicle scrapping policy, and regular servicing of public transport vehicles.
Bangalore's air pollution levels are not only influenced by road dust and vehicle emissions but also by industrial activity, construction dust, and the use of diesel generators. The city has been identified as one of the most polluted in India, with pollution levels exceeding those of highly polluted cities like Delhi. However, it is important to note that Bangalore's air quality has shown some improvement in recent years, with a 7% decline in air pollution between 2017 and 2018.
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Mumbai's worst hour for air pollution is 8 am
While Bangalore is more polluted than Mumbai, with its air pollution averaging about 40% of pollution leader Delhi's, making it one of the least polluted major cities in India, the western metropolis of Mumbai has its own troubles with air pollution.
Mumbai's air pollution is typically at its worst from November to February, the winter months, when there is considerably less rainfall to cleanse the air. During November, the Bandra Kurla Complex area in the city recorded a US AQI figure of 305, which is classed as very poor. The PM2.5 reading was 85.9 µg/m³, PM10 was 145.7 µg/m³, O3 was 8.7 µg/m³ and NO2 was 80.8 µg/m³. These readings are typical for November, which is statistically one of the worst months for air quality in the city.
In 2019, Mumbai ranked 169th among the world's most polluted cities, with an annual average PM2.5 figure of 45.3 µg/m³. This is considerably lower than the PM2.5 figure for Delhi, which was 98.6 µg/m³. However, Greenpeace India ranked Mumbai as the 37th most polluted city in the country in 2018. The Airpocalypse-IV report by Greenpeace analysed data from 2013 to 2018 and found that for more than 52 days, the level of air pollution in Mumbai exceeded the safety standards of 60 µg/m³ for the presence of PM10 particulate matter. The report also found that the number of registered vehicles in the city rose by 9.9% in 2019, bringing the total to approximately 3.5 million.
Mumbai's air quality is also affected by its geographical location. The city's coastal position means that sea breezes help to disperse particulate matter suspended in the air. However, despite the positive impact of the sea, Mumbai's air pollution still has a significant impact on public health. Particulate matter, particularly PM10 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), have been recorded as the most critical pollutants, with exposure leading to coughs, breathlessness, wheezing, colds, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allergic rhinitis.
While the worst hour for air pollution on one particular day in July 2025 was 12:09 pm, when the AQI level was 92, on a typical day, the worst air pollution is at 8 am.
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Frequently asked questions
While Bangalore is more polluted than Mumbai, it is not as polluted as Delhi, which is the most polluted city in India. Bangalore's air pollution averages about 40% that of Delhi.
The main sources of pollution in Bangalore are the roads, encompassing the numerous cars and buses that use them, as well as "road dust" that is blown into the atmosphere as vehicles pass over it.
Bangalore is the 3rd most populous city in India, but ranks 82nd out of all cities in India in terms of pollution. It is not as polluted as heavily polluted cities such as Ghaziabad, which took 1st place in India in 2019 with a PM2.5 reading nearly 3.5 times that of Bangalore.
