Pune Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

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

Pune AQI Right Now

112

Category: Moderate

Dominant Pollutant: pm25

PM2.5: 63.23 µg/m³

PM10: 110.78 µg/m³

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

Pune Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.563.23 µg/m³
PM10110.78 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)12.56 µg/m³
NO₂51.54 µg/m³
SO₂9.68 µg/m³
CO1716.86 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Pune

Moderate: Breathing discomfort to people with lungs, asthma and heart diseases.

Health Impact — Pune

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 2.9 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.35 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Pune

  • General Population: People with respiratory or heart conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • Elderly: Reduce prolonged outdoor activities.
  • Children: Reduce prolonged outdoor play.
  • Lung Disease Patients: Avoid prolonged outdoor exertion.

Understanding Pune Air Quality

Pune, India's eighth-largest city and a major educational and IT hub, sits at 560 metres on the eastern lee side of the Western Ghats. Its relatively moderate climate and elevation provide better natural ventilation than many Indian cities, but rapid urbanisation and industrial growth in the Pimpri-Chinchwad and Chakan corridors have steadily worsened air quality over the past decade.

Winter months (November–February) see the worst air quality as temperature inversions in the river valleys (Mutha and Mula rivers) trap vehicular and industrial emissions. PM2.5 concentrations during this period typically range from 60–120 µg/m³, with the Hadapsar-Kharadi IT corridor and PCMC industrial zone recording the highest readings. Early morning fog during December–January reduces visibility and compresses the atmospheric boundary layer.

The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings dramatic relief, with Pune receiving 700+ mm of rainfall that washes out particulates. Post-monsoon (October–November) sees construction activity resume and Diwali fireworks can produce single-night PM2.5 spikes exceeding 250 µg/m³. Pune's vehicle fleet - exceeding 5 million - makes vehicular exhaust the dominant source year-round. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has mandated dust barriers at construction sites and pushed for metro completion to reduce vehicular load, but Pune's rapid horizontal sprawl continues to generate construction-related PM10.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Construction dust
  • Industrial emissions (Pimpri-Chinchwad, Chakan)
  • Road dust
  • Brick kilns (periurban)

Geography: Western Ghats lee side at ~560 m elevation; hilly terrain with river valleys that can trap local emissions during calm winter nights

Peak pollution months: November, December, January, February

Frequently Asked Questions — Pune

How does Pune air quality compare to Mumbai?

Pune's annual average AQI is roughly similar to Mumbai's, though the sources differ. Mumbai has more shipping and industrial emissions while Pune's pollution is dominated by vehicles and construction. Pune's winter inversions in river valleys can cause sharper short-term spikes, but Mumbai's coastal humidity creates a more persistent low-level haze.

What is the most polluted area in Pune?

The PCMC (Pimpri-Chinchwad) industrial belt, Hadapsar-Kharadi IT corridor, and areas near the Pune-Mumbai Expressway interchange typically record the highest readings. Older central areas like Swargate and Shivajinagar also face elevated pollution from traffic congestion.

Air Quality in Nearby Cities