Pune Air Quality Remains Mostly Moderate in Early January, Some Areas in Poor Category
Pune, 10th January 2026: Pune’s air quality remained largely in the moderate category during the first 10 days of January, according to data from the Air Quality Index (AQI) calendar. However, several pockets of the city continued to report poor air quality, raising concerns for residents, particularly those with respiratory and heart-related conditions.
As per the AQI calendar for January 2026, pollution levels fluctuated between moderate and poor during this period. PM10 emerged as the dominant pollutant on most days, with AQI values crossing the 180–200 range at multiple monitoring stations. Ozone levels were relatively higher during the first three days of the month, after which particulate matter became the primary concern.
While the city’s overall average air quality remained moderate, Bhumkar Nagar in Wakad recorded an AQI of 257, placing it firmly in the poor category. Revenue Colony in Shivajinagar reported an AQI of 201, while Mahada Colony in Lohegaon recorded 223, indicating persistently poor air quality in these areas.
Health advisories linked to the prevailing air quality warn of breathing discomfort for people with lung disorders, asthma, and heart diseases, as reflected in official AQI health impact indicators. Experts note that prolonged exposure to poor air quality can aggravate existing health conditions and pose higher risks to vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
Environmental experts attribute the continued pollution levels to a combination of vehicular emissions, ongoing construction activity, and winter weather conditions that limit the dispersion of pollutants. Although minor day-to-day variations were observed, there was no significant overall improvement in air quality during the first 10 days of the month.
