Thiruvananthapuram Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

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

Thiruvananthapuram AQI Right Now

48

Category: Good

Dominant Pollutant: pm10

PM2.5: 19.29 µg/m³

PM10: 48.17 µg/m³

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

Thiruvananthapuram Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.519.29 µg/m³
PM1048.17 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)16.92 µg/m³
NO₂8.6 µg/m³
SO₂3.46 µg/m³
CO141.49 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Thiruvananthapuram

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

Health Impact — Thiruvananthapuram

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 0.9 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.06 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Thiruvananthapuram

  • 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 Thiruvananthapuram Air Quality

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), India's southernmost state capital, enjoys an almost enviable air quality profile by national standards - a benefit of its tropical maritime climate, abundant green cover, and the Arabian Sea's constant coastal breeze. The city's undulating laterite hills and coconut palm canopy create natural ventilation corridors that prevent the kind of pollutant stagnation seen in North Indian cities. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple precinct, Technopark IT campus, and Kowdiar Palace area benefit from well-maintained tree cover that acts as local air filters.

December through March constitutes Thiruvananthapuram's relatively drier period and is when air quality, such as it is, reaches its least favourable levels. PM2.5 readings typically range from 25–50 µg/m³ - levels that would be celebrated in most Indian cities - with localised hotspots near the congested East Fort–Chalai market area and the bottleneck-prone NH-66 Kazhakkoottam–Kesavadasapuram stretch. Growing vehicle density (the city has one of Kerala's highest vehicle-to-road ratios), construction activity driven by IT-sector expansion near Technopark, and intermittent waste burning in peripheral wards are the primary anthropogenic contributors.

Kerala's famous monsoon is Thiruvananthapuram's atmospheric cleanser: the city receives 1,800+ mm of rainfall spread across both the southwest (June–August) and northeast (October–November) monsoons, providing roughly 9 months of naturally clean air. The sea breeze off the Arabian Sea maintains low humidity and active air mixing even during dry spells. Among Indian state capitals, Thiruvananthapuram consistently ranks in the top 3 for air quality - a reflection of Kerala's high forest cover, absence of heavy industry, and the city's coastal geographic advantage.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Construction dust
  • Road dust
  • Waste burning
  • Sand mining
  • Port and airport emissions

Geography: Southernmost state capital on Arabian Sea coast; undulating terrain with laterite hills, tropical maritime climate, abundant green cover

Peak pollution months: December, January, February, March

Frequently Asked Questions — Thiruvananthapuram

Is Thiruvananthapuram's air quality really among India's best?

Yes - Thiruvananthapuram consistently ranks as one of India's cleanest state capitals, with annual average AQI in the Good range (NAQI 30–60). The tropical maritime climate, 1,800+ mm annual rainfall, Arabian Sea breeze, and absence of heavy industry mean the city rarely approaches the Moderate category. Even its worst months (December–January) see PM2.5 levels of 25–50 µg/m³, well below WHO thresholds that most Indian cities exceed year-round.

What are the main pollution concerns in Thiruvananthapuram?

Despite excellent overall air quality, Thiruvananthapuram faces localised challenges: heavy traffic congestion in the old city (East Fort, Chalai, Statue junction) creates vehicle emission hotspots, ongoing construction near Technopark generates dust, and intermittent waste burning occurs in densely populated wards. Sand mining along rivers and coast adds suspended particulates in nearby areas. However, these remain localised issues that do not significantly impact city-wide air quality.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities