Pune, 4th September 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) still has ₹105.25 crore unspent from funds allocated to improve air quality under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and the 15th Finance Commission.
The Maharashtra Environment and Climate Change Department has directed the civic body to use the remaining funds and submit a utilisation certificate by September 5.
With the deadline approaching, the Pune Air Action Hub has urged the PMC to avoid rushed or ineffective spending and instead use the money through a scientific and transparent plan.
Pune and its surrounding areas received dedicated air-quality funding between 2020-21 and 2025-26 under NCAP and the 15th Finance Commission.
Of the total funds available, PMC has so far utilised ₹166.24 crore, while ₹105.25 crore remains available.
The Pune Air Action Hub has submitted recommendations to PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, calling for the remaining money to be directed towards measures that can produce measurable improvements in air quality rather than being spent merely to meet the utilisation deadline.
The organisation has based its recommendations on data from the recently released Environmental Status Report (ESR) for Pune.
Pune Air Action Hub member Ravindra Sinha said the civic administration should take sustained action against the city's major sources of air pollution.
"Open waste burning, violations of construction pollution rules and highly polluting vehicles require strict action. If the administration takes consistent action, these major sources of pollution can certainly be brought under control," Sinha said.
The organisation has stressed that the approaching deadline should not result in funds being spent hastily or on projects with limited impact.
Instead, PMC should identify priority pollution sources, fund measures based on scientific evidence and ensure that spending is transparent and produces measurable results for Pune's air quality.