Pune, 5th March 2026: Walking through the streets of Pune today can feel like smoking several cigarettes a day without lighting one. Rising levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter in the air have pushed pollution levels in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad into a dangerous zone, with health experts warning of a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses across the region.
According to recent estimates, four out of every 10 residents are now battling respiratory problems. In the last five years alone, cases have nearly doubled from 3.8 lakh in 2020 to nearly 7 lakh in 2025, highlighting the growing health impact of deteriorating air quality.
For many residents, the change is visible in everyday life. Construction activity across the city often fills the air with dust as drills cut into concrete and trucks move construction material through residential areas. Residents say they frequently find a thin layer of dust settling on furniture, balconies, and vehicles, while roadside plants and trees appear coated in grey particles.
A major contributor to the city’s worsening air quality is the surge in construction activity. Cement plants, ready-mix concrete (RMC) facilities, mixer trucks, dumpers, and demolition work are turning several neighbourhoods into dust-prone zones.
The scale of development is significant. Pune currently has over 18,000 construction projects underway, yet monitoring remains limited. Of the 678 projects required to install air pollution sensors, only 153 sites are currently monitored, leaving thousands of sites operating without proper air-quality oversight.
Experts identify several key contributors to Pune’s air pollution:
Road dust: Fine PM2.5 and PM10 particles released from roads and construction activity
Dust from RMC plants: Construction-related dust adding to particulate pollution
Heavy vehicles: Older diesel trucks and vehicles emitting smoke
Waste burning: Burning of garbage, tyres, and wood releasing harmful chemicals
Areas such as Hinjewadi, Wakad, Bavdhan, Ravet, and Punawale are witnessing especially high pollution levels due to heavy movement of trucks carrying sand, gravel, and asphalt. Diesel exhaust from these vehicles releases carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur dioxide, while construction dust adds to the concentration of harmful particles in the air.
Doctors say the impact is particularly severe among infants and senior citizens. Nearly 30–40 per cent of infants have experienced respiratory conditions such as asthma or pneumonia, while 40–50 per cent of elderly residents face a higher risk of heart-related complications linked to polluted air.
Medical professionals are also seeing a rise in respiratory diseases across age groups. Asthma and bronchitis cases have increased by more than 30 per cent, while allergy cases have risen by about 25 per cent. Even Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), traditionally associated with long-term smoking is now increasingly being diagnosed among non-smokers exposed to polluted air.
Concerned residents are calling for stronger enforcement of dust-control measures, including mandatory dust nets at construction sites, stricter monitoring, and penalties for violations. Many argue that rapid development should not come at the cost of public health.
Authorities say enforcement action has begun. In 2025 alone, more than 76,000 challans were issued to dumper trucks, generating over ₹10 crore in fines. Despite these measures, residents say dust pollution remains a persistent problem.
Experts suggest several steps to improve air quality, including stricter monitoring of construction sites, proper covering of trucks transporting sand and cement, effective dust-control measures, and expansion of green spaces to help naturally filter pollutants.
As Pune continues to grow rapidly, the challenge will be balancing development with environmental protection. Without stronger intervention, residents fear the city could follow the path of heavily polluted metros. For now, the question remains: can Pune act in time to protect its air and the health of its people?