Pune Air Pollution Rises, PMC Environment Report Flags Growing PM2.5, NO2 Levels

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 29th July 2026: Air pollution in Pune has emerged as a major concern, with levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) showing a sustained increase over the past five years, according to the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Environment Status Report 2025-26.

The report, however, highlights progress in water supply, sewage treatment, solid waste management and the adoption of electric vehicles in the city.

The PMC presented its Environment Status Report for 2025-26 before the General Body. The report has been prepared under Section 67-A of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act.
The latest report has been expanded to 298 pages from 183 pages in the previous edition and includes 60 actionable recommendations for environmental planning and management.

PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide levels rise

Air quality remains one of the key areas of concern highlighted in the report. The PMC has noted a gradual increase in PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide levels in Pune over the past five years.
To address air pollution, the civic body said several measures are being implemented, including making the use of cleaner fuels mandatory for commercial establishments, prohibiting the burning of waste in the open and installing sensor-based dust monitoring systems at major construction projects.

Over 600 km of water pipelines added

Under the 24-hour water supply project, a large number of smart water meters have been installed across the city. The report states that more than 600 kilometres of new and renovated water pipelines have been laid.

The PMC has also claimed that drinking water supplied throughout the year meets national quality standards.

Nine sewage treatment plants are currently operational in Pune. The civic body has also been expanding sewage management infrastructure in villages that were recently incorporated into the PMC limits.

2,770 tonnes of waste processed daily

Pune processes around 2,770 tonnes of solid waste every day, according to the report.
No fresh waste was dumped at the old landfill sites during the reporting period, the PMC said. The report also noted that Pune ranked eighth nationally in the ‘Swachh Survekshan 2024’ among cities with a population of more than one million.

Electric vehicle registrations rise 62%

The civic body said Pune is also making progress towards sustainable transportation.

Registrations of fully electric vehicles increased by 62% over the past year. The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) fleet now has 535 electric buses, according to the report.

Disaster management gets separate chapter

For the first time, the Environment Status Report includes a dedicated chapter on disaster management.

The chapter reviews the city’s four-tier flood response mechanism, real-time monitoring systems and preparedness to deal with emergencies arising from climate change.

Survey of 1,600 citizens

As part of the preparation of the report, a survey of 1,600 citizens was conducted.

Increasing green spaces, strengthening public transport and improving solid waste management emerged as the key expectations of Pune residents, according to the survey.

The PMC said suggestions received from citizens have been incorporated into the recommendations in the report.

“An Environment Status Report is not merely a document prepared to fulfil a legal requirement, but a tool for objectively assessing the city’s environmental performance. It will serve as a guide for strategic decisions in the future,” Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said.

Key highlights of PMC Environment Status Report 2025-26

Report expanded from 183 pages to 298 pages
60 actionable recommendations for environmental planning

More than 600 km of new and renovated water pipelines

Nine sewage treatment plants operational in the city

Around 2,770 tonnes of solid waste processed every day

62% increase in registrations of fully electric
vehicles

535 electric buses in the PMPML fleet
Survey conducted among 1,600 Pune citizens