Mysuru (Mysore) Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

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

Mysuru AQI Right Now

87

Category: Satisfactory

Dominant Pollutant: pm10

PM2.5: 20.35 µg/m³

PM10: 87.19 µg/m³

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

Mysuru Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.520.35 µg/m³
PM1087.19 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)21.97 µg/m³
NO₂19.22 µg/m³
SO₂1.29 µg/m³
CO348.35 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Mysuru

Satisfactory: Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.

Health Impact — Mysuru

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 0.07 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Mysuru

  • General Population: Acceptable air quality. Unusually sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • Elderly: Minor breathing discomfort is possible.
  • Children: Should be fine outdoors with normal activities.
  • Lung Disease Patients: Consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.

Understanding Mysuru Air Quality

Mysuru (Mysore), Karnataka's heritage jewel and India's City of Palaces, enjoys one of the cleanest urban atmospheres among Indian cities of comparable size. Situated on the southern Deccan Plateau at approximately 770 metres elevation, the city benefits from a moderate climate, excellent green cover - including the Chamundi Hills reserve forest, Karanji Lake nature park, and the sprawling university campus - and relatively restrained industrialisation compared to its northern counterparts. The Mysore Palace precinct and surrounding heritage zones have strict building height regulations that preserve wind corridors through the old city.

December through March constitutes Mysuru's mild pollution season, though even peak readings rarely approach the levels seen in northern India. PM2.5 concentrations typically range from 40–80 µg/m³ during winter mornings, with the highest readings near the congested Irwin Road–Sayyaji Rao Road commercial centre and the Hebbal Industrial Area on the city's northern periphery. Light industrial units manufacturing food products, incense, and textiles in the Hebbal and Hootagalli estate contribute modest industrial PM, while growing vehicle ownership - particularly two-wheelers - adds to rush-hour hotspots along the ring road.

Mysuru's air quality advantage stems from its geographic blessing: the Chamundi Hills to the south create a natural barrier and green lung, while the open plateau terrain allows prevailing winds to flush the city effectively. The monsoon (June–October) brings 800+ mm of rainfall, maintaining the city's green cover and washing out any dry-season accumulation. Mysuru consistently ranks among India's top 10 cleanest cities in Swachh Survekshan surveys, and its air quality reflects this broader urban management ethos - a rare Indian city where heritage preservation and modern planning align to keep pollution in check.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Road dust
  • Construction dust
  • Industrial emissions (Hebbal industrial area)
  • Waste burning

Geography: Southern Deccan Plateau at ~770m elevation; heritage city with moderate climate, cleaner than most Indian cities, surrounded by green cover

Peak pollution months: December, January, February, March

Frequently Asked Questions — Mysuru

Is Mysuru's air quality really better than most Indian cities?

Yes - Mysuru consistently records annual average AQI in the Good to Satisfactory range (NAQI 50–100), significantly better than most Indian cities its size. Its 770 m plateau elevation, Chamundi Hills green cover, moderate industrial base, and effective urban management combine to keep pollution levels low. Even during its worst months (December–January), daily AQI rarely exceeds the Moderate category.

What are the main pollution sources in Mysuru?

Mysuru's pollution is largely vehicular - growing two-wheeler and car ownership creates rush-hour hotspots along Irwin Road, JLB Road, and the outer ring road. The Hebbal and Hootagalli industrial estates contribute modest industrial PM from food processing, incense, and textile units. Construction dust from new residential developments on the city's periphery and localised waste burning are secondary sources. There are no heavy industries or coal-based power plants near the city.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities