Brian Barton
Pune and Delhi are two of India's most polluted cities. While Delhi's air pollution has been described as hell, Pune ranks among the ten most polluted cities in India. The air quality in both cities is primarily affected by vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, and dust. Delhi's air quality has shown slight improvement in recent years, with the implementation of measures such as solar-powered public transport and restrictions on older vehicles. Pune's air quality is currently moderate, with some pollutants that may be a concern for sensitive individuals.
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What You'll Learn
Delhi's air pollution sources
India is one of the world's most polluted countries, and Delhi is the most polluted capital city globally. The country's air pollution sources and seasonality vary across the region, with topography and weather patterns in Northern India favoring the development of high pollution levels. Here are the primary sources of Delhi's air pollution:
Crop Burning in Surrounding States
Farmers in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh burn crop stubble to clear fields after the harvest. This practice releases massive amounts of smoke and harmful particles into the air, which are then carried to Delhi by winds, significantly worsening the city's pollution levels.
Vehicle Emissions
Delhi's roads are crowded with vehicles, many of which are old and emit high levels of pollutants. The lack of sufficient public transportation options forces many residents to rely on private cars, causing constant traffic jams and further increasing air pollution levels. Remote sensing technology has revealed that motor vehicles emit far more pollutants in real-world conditions than in laboratory tests, underscoring the urgency to transition to zero-emission vehicles.
Industrial Emissions
Industrial activities contribute to the release of harmful gases and particles into the atmosphere. This includes emissions from factories, power plants, and other sources, which can contain a range of pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide.
Construction Activities
The rapid urban growth and development in Delhi have led to an increase in construction sites and road construction projects, generating significant dust and pollution. This dust, particularly during dry weather, can severely affect air quality and pose health risks to residents.
Overpopulation
With a population of over 20 million, Delhi's infrastructure is under immense pressure. The high population density leads to increased energy consumption, waste generation, and traffic congestion, all of which contribute to higher pollution levels.
Burning of Wood and Dirty Fuels
During the winter months, the burning of wood and dirty fuels for cooking and heating is a significant source of air pollution. The cool air in the mountains creates a low-level boundary layer that traps particulates near the surface, exacerbating pollution levels.
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Pune's air pollution sources
Pune, a city in the state of Maharashtra, has a population of approximately 7 million people and is continuing to grow rapidly. In 2019, Pune ranked as the 299th dirtiest city in the world with an average PM2.5 reading of 35.7 µg/m³. The city's air quality can be categorised as moderate for about seven months of the year, unhealthy for sensitive groups for three months, and unhealthy for the remaining two months.
The city has also been impacted by the extensive use of fireworks during the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain festival of Diwali, which produces a considerable amount of pollution. In 2019, the Indian government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to address the issue of air pollution. The expansion of electric vehicles and an enhanced system of regulations and monitoring of the industrial sector are also part of the plan to improve Pune's air quality.
In addition to human-made sources of pollution, Pune's air quality is also influenced by natural emission sources such as dust storms and seasonal open fires, which are accounted for in the concentration calculation as external contributions to the city's air quality.
According to the latest data, Pune's Air Quality Index (AQI) is currently at a moderate level of 73, with real-time air pollution levels of PM2.5 at 21µg/m³ and PM10 at 56µg/m³. While the AQI levels are currently acceptable, some pollutants may be a concern for sensitive individuals.
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Delhi's air quality index
Delhi's air quality is monitored by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the CPCB - India Central Pollution Control Board. The DPCC provides real-time data on air quality, which can be accessed through various plugins and widgets available for Windows, Firefox, Chrome, and Symbian devices. These tools allow users to stay informed about the city's air pollution levels and take necessary precautions.
Delhi's air pollution is influenced by various factors, including heatwaves, dust storms, and vehicle emissions. The city often experiences high temperatures, with the "feels like" temperature reaching 49 °C amid heatwaves. Outdoor air pollution contributes to respiratory issues and has been linked to rising diabetes mortality. Additionally, the sale of diesel vehicles has been associated with increasing nitrogen oxide emissions, impacting the air quality not only in Delhi but also in other Indian cities.
While Pune has been ranked 69th among the 91 most polluted cities in India, with a high level of suspended particulate matter (PM10), Delhi and its neighbourhoods like R.K. Puram continue to face air quality issues. R.K. Puram, for example, has an overall AQI of 77, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels contributing significantly to the area's air pollution.
To summarise, Delhi's air quality index is currently moderate, and efforts are being made to improve it. Real-time monitoring and control measures are in place, and residents can access this information through various digital tools. While Pune also faces air pollution issues, Delhi's neighbourhoods continue to experience poor air quality, requiring ongoing mitigation strategies and public health advisories.
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Pune's air quality index
In 2010, Pune was ranked 69th among 91 of India's most polluted cities, with a high level of suspended particulate matter (PM10). The average PM10 level was 82 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3), while the permissible limit of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) is 60 ug/m3. Other cities in the state of Maharashtra, where Pune is located, also had relatively high ug/m3 ratings, including Nagpur (48th, 99 ug/m3), Amravati (54th, 90 ug/m3), and Nashik (58th, 89 ug/m3).
While Pune's air quality may not be ideal for sensitive individuals, it is generally acceptable for most people, who can enjoy normal outdoor activities.
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Efforts to reduce air pollution in Delhi and Pune
Delhi is the most polluted capital city in the world, with particulate matter concentrations nearly ten times higher than World Health Organization guidelines. The Indian government has launched the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024, later revising the target to 40% by 2026. The Delhi government has also implemented several measures to combat air pollution, including banning the entry of commercial petrol and diesel vehicles, halting construction activities, shutting down thermal power plants, and adding CNG buses to the public transport fleet.
Delhi's air quality has severe health implications for its residents, with 2.2 million children suffering from irreversible lung damage. To protect their staff, embassies and international businesses in Delhi are providing high-end air purifiers and considering reducing staff tenures.
In November 2021, the Delhi government announced the closure of all educational institutions and government offices for a week in response to the severe air quality index. The Supreme Court of India reprimanded the central and state governments, urging them to take strict measures to reduce pollution.
Pune, another Indian city, is also battling air pollution. Local stakeholders in Pune are working collaboratively to improve the city's air quality through health-based and community-led efforts. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the Indian Institute of Public Health-Gandhinagar (IIPH-G), and the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) are partnering with local experts to develop city-wide activities aligned with national efforts.
Pune has expanded its electric bus fleet and implemented a pedestrian movement policy. The city has also introduced a rebate program to encourage residents and companies to transition from gasoline-powered equipment to electric-battery-operated alternatives. These collective efforts aim to reduce air pollution and safeguard the health of Pune's residents.
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Frequently asked questions
While Pune is among the 10 most polluted cities in India, Delhi is not far behind. Kanpur, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, and Vadodara are close to Delhi in terms of pollution levels.
As of July 10, 2025, the AQI level in Pune was 73, which is considered moderate.
On November 18, 2024, Delhi recorded its worst air quality of the season, with an AQI of 491, classified as "severe plus."
Vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, dust, and biomass burning are major contributors to air pollution in Delhi.
Delhi has implemented various measures to combat air pollution, including the introduction of cleaner fuels, stricter emission standards, restrictions on older vehicles, smog towers, and initiatives to prevent stubble burning.
