Pune, 30th July 2026: Pune's air quality has deteriorated significantly due to rapid urbanisation, increasing vehicle ownership, continuous infrastructure development, and construction dust, according to the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) Environmental Status Report 2025-26, presented before the General Body.
The report states that PM10 (coarse particulate matter) levels exceeded the national annual limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre at Shivajinagar, Lohegaon, Katraj, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and Pashan, showing that pollution has spread beyond busy traffic corridors.
Similarly, PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) levels crossed the national annual limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre at Shivajinagar and Lohegaon. These fine particles can enter the bloodstream and increase the risk of respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and premature death.
The city's air quality remained a concern throughout the year.
Good Air: 92 days
Satisfactory Air: 122 days
Moderate Air: 120 days
Poor Air: 31 days
Overall, Pune residents breathed moderate or poor quality air for 151 days during 2025.
The report identifies construction activities as one of the largest contributors to particulate pollution, accounting for nearly 23% of PM10 emissions in Indian cities. Ongoing metro works, road projects, water pipeline works, and other infrastructure developments have increased dust pollution across Pune.
Vehicle registrations have also grown sharply.
New vehicles registered (2020-21): 147,961
New vehicles registered (2025-26): 346,912
Increase in six years: More than double
New electric vehicles registered: 31,580
Share of EVs in new registrations: 9.1%
Public transport has gradually shifted towards cleaner mobility.
Total PMPML buses: 1,954
Electric buses: 535
Diesel buses still in operation: 204
Estimated carbon emissions avoided by e-buses: Around 7,200 tonnes
The report also highlights a significant gap in sewage treatment capacity.
Daily sewage generated: 980 million litres
Existing treatment capacity: 477 million litres
Treatment coverage: 49%
Untreated sewage continues to pollute rivers and streams across the city. Pollution remains a concern near Mhatre Bridge, while Pashan Lake's Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) reached 32.67 mg/litre in 2024, exceeding the safe limit of 30 mg/litre.
Despite rising electricity consumption, solar energy continues to contribute only a small share.
Annual city electricity consumption: 7,227.35 million units
PMC institutional electricity consumption: 738.76 million units
Institutional share: 10.2%
Current solar energy contribution: 0.23%
Expected contribution after proposed projects: Around 0.5%
The report also flags several civic and environmental shortcomings.
Three air quality monitoring stations had unavailable data.
Nearly two-thirds of city roads still lack footpaths.
Around 90% of cycle tracks are below expected standards.
Water distribution losses remain at 32%.
Pune generates nearly 2,800 tonnes of municipal waste every day.
Pollution levels in Pashan Lake continue to increase.
Noise pollution limits are violated throughout the year.
Green spaces remain unevenly distributed across the city.
Dust control measures at construction sites are poorly enforced.
Solar power generation by the PMC remains minimal.
The report concludes that while Pune has taken steps such as introducing electric buses and promoting cleaner fuels for commercial establishments, stricter enforcement of pollution control measures and improved environmental infrastructure will be essential to improve the city's air quality and overall environmental health.
