Hubli-Dharwad Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

Karnataka, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5

Hubli-Dharwad AQI Right Now

42

Category: Good

Dominant Pollutant: pm25

PM2.5: 24.99 µg/m³

PM10: 40.45 µg/m³

Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.

Hubli-Dharwad Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.524.99 µg/m³
PM1040.45 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)35 µg/m³
NO₂6.88 µg/m³
SO₂2.33 µg/m³
CO295.42 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Hubli-Dharwad

Good: Minimal impact on health. Great day to be outdoors!

Health Impact — Hubli-Dharwad

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 1.1 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.1 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Hubli-Dharwad

  • General Population: Air quality is satisfactory. Enjoy outdoor activities.
  • Elderly: No special precautions needed.
  • Children: Great day for outdoor play.
  • Lung Disease Patients: No restrictions on outdoor activities.

Understanding Hubli-Dharwad Air Quality

Hubli-Dharwad, North Karnataka's commercial capital, sits on the Deccan Plateau at roughly 670 metres elevation. As one of India's busiest railway junctions, the twin city handles immense freight and passenger traffic, with diesel locomotive emissions contributing to persistent PM levels around the Hubli railway yard and Gokul Road commercial corridor. The city's engineering workshops, cotton textile mills along the Tarihal and Rayapur industrial estates, and growing automotive ancillary units add industrial particulates to the mix, particularly during dry winter months when wind speeds dip.

From November through February, Hubli-Dharwad experiences its worst air quality. The semi-arid Deccan climate means minimal rainfall during this period, allowing road dust and construction debris to linger. PM2.5 levels typically reach 80–120 µg/m³ on calm winter mornings, especially near the congested Lamington Road–Koppikar Road junction and the Deshpande Nagar industrial stretch. Dharwad's comparatively greener university area (Karnatak University campus) offers marginally better air than Hubli's dense commercial zones.

However, Hubli-Dharwad's air quality remains significantly better than most northern Indian cities of comparable size. The Deccan plateau's open terrain allows westerly winds from the Arabian Sea to flush pollutants, and the monsoon (June–September) brings 700–800 mm of rainfall that scrubs the atmosphere clean. By March, rising temperatures create thermal mixing that helps disperse winter accumulations, bringing AQI back to Satisfactory levels across most of the twin city.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Construction dust
  • Industrial emissions (engineering, textiles)
  • Road dust
  • Waste burning

Geography: Twin city in northern Karnataka Deccan Plateau; railway junction hub, semi-arid climate, cotton textile and engineering industries

Peak pollution months: November, December, January, February

Frequently Asked Questions — Hubli-Dharwad

What is the air quality like in Hubli-Dharwad during winter?

Winter (November–February) is the most polluted season in Hubli-Dharwad, with AQI typically ranging from Moderate to Poor (NAQI 100–200). Calm winds and low humidity allow emissions from railways, textile mills, and vehicular traffic to accumulate, especially in Hubli's commercial core around Lamington Road and the railway junction area.

Why is Hubli-Dharwad's air quality better than North Indian cities?

Hubli-Dharwad benefits from its Deccan Plateau location at ~670 m elevation, where open terrain allows westerly winds from the Arabian Sea to disperse pollutants. Unlike Indo-Gangetic Plain cities that trap pollution under winter inversions, Hubli rarely experiences prolonged stagnation. Additionally, the city's moderate industrial base and good monsoon rainfall (700–800 mm) help maintain relatively cleaner air year-round.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities