Mumbai: Delhi may have earned the dubious distinction of being the air pollution capital of the country over the years but Mumbai seems to be climbing up the not-so-coveted list, the latest air quality parameters post-Diwali show.
Delhi may have earned the dubious distinction of being the air pollution capital of the country over the years but Mumbai seems to be climbing up the not-so-coveted list, the latest air quality parameters post-Diwali show.
As part of Respirer Living Sciences’ AtlasAQ platform, a report analysed air quality data for Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur before, during, and after Diwali 2024. Using air quality monitoring data from October 30 (pre-Diwali), October 31 (Diwali), and November 1 (post-Diwali), the study sought to examine the impact of festival-related pollution on particulate matter levels (PM2.5 and PM10).
According to the study, in Mumbai, PM2.5 levels surged over 50 per cent after Diwali, with areas like Sewri and Malad West seeing the highest spikes. The trend was seen in Pune too, with major increases in Hadapsar and Shivaji Nagar. Nagpur’s Ram Nagar and Ambazari recorded over 80 per cent increases, indicating persistent pollution sources.
What was also a cause for concern was that tier II cities like Dhule, Nanded, and Pimpri-Chinchwad topped pollution levels, showing air quality concerns beyond major urban areas and highlighting the need for effective pollution control measures during festive periods.
MUMBAI
Mumbai recorded a 50.3 per cent increase in PM2.5 levels from October 30 to November 1, rising from 57.46 µg/m³ to 86.39 µg/m³. The Sewri locality experienced the highest PM2.5 increase in Mumbai, with levels jumping 105.8 per cent from October 30 to October 31 and a further 5.4 per cent by November 1, reflecting a cumulative rise of 116.9 per cent, the report shows.
In Malad West, PM2.5 levels surged by 67.9 per cent on Diwali and rose another 65 per cent after the festival, resulting in a total increase of 177.2 per cent. In Kandivali West, PM2.5 increased by 89.6 per cent on Diwali, peaking further by 3.9 per cent on November 1, totaling a 97 per cent increase across the three days. Notable increases were also observed in Byculla (36.4 per cent), Chembur (51.2 per cent), and Deonar (67.2 per cent).
PUNE
Pune’s PM2.5 rose by 19.7 per cent, while PM10 levels increased by 14.3 per cent between October 30 and November 1.
Revenue Colony-Shivajinagar recorded a sharp increase, with PM2.5 levels rising by 55.6 per cent post-Diwali, resulting in a total three-day increase of 58.3 per cent. In Hadapsar, PM2.5 levels climbed by 56.3 per cent on November 1, marking a significant post-Diwali increase. Apart from these, Alandi, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and Bhumkar Nagar saw significant increases.
NAGPUR
Nagpur registered over an 80 per cent increase in PM2.5 in key areas, with Mahal and Ram Nagar affected the most. The PM2.5 levels in Nagpur rose by 53.5 per cent post-Diwali, with PM10 increasing by 43.1 per cent. Mahal saw a notable 80.9 per cent rise in PM2.5 from pre- to post-Diwali, while PM10 levels surged by 79.6 per cent. Ram Nagar, Ambazari were other areas that were severely impacted.
Tier II cities like Dhule, Nanded, and Pimpri-Chinchwad were not far behind in pollution levels, indicating that rising toxicity in the air was no longer limited to urban centres.
On November 1, Dhule recorded the highest PM2.5 level among cities in Maharashtra, reaching 137.25 µg/m³, highlighting significant air quality concerns. Nanded and Pimpri-Chinchwad followed with PM2.5 levels of 129.90 µg/m³ and 125.62 µg/m³, respectively, while cities like Ahmednagar (123.73 µg/m³) and Parbhani (122.67 µg/m³) also reported high particulate concentrations.
Mumbai, often under scrutiny for its air quality, ranked 20th on this list, with a relatively lower PM2.5 concentration of 86.39 µg/m³ than other cities. Despite varying levels across the state, these readings indicate elevated pollution post-Diwali across many urban centres, underlining the need for continuous air quality monitoring and mitigation efforts.
YEAR-ON-YEAR ANALYSIS
According to the report, in Mumbai, post-Diwali PM2.5 levels showed a mixed trend across various locations in 2024 compared to previous years.
Malad West saw a significant increase in PM2.5, rising by 50.5 per cent compared to 2023, reaching 194.54 µg/m³ in 2024. In contrast, other locations such as Powai and Deonar showed reductions in PM2.5 levels. Powai experienced a notable decrease of 44.6 per cent, and Deonar saw a modest drop of 3.8 per cent compared to 2023. These trends highlight local variations in air quality improvement and deterioration within Mumbai, influenced by multiple factors like local emissions and seasonal weather changes.
Commenting on the study, Ronak Sutaria, CEO and Founder, Respirer Living Sciences, said: “Post-Diwali air quality data across Maharashtra, particularly in cities like Dhule, Nanded, and Pimpri-Chinchwad ranking as the most polluted, reveals severe PM2.5 spikes that surpass even larger urban centers like Mumbai and Pune. This trend underscores the widespread impact of festival-related pollution beyond metropolitan areas, with PM2.5 increases over 50 per cent in some regions.
“Such concentrated pollution peaks not only exacerbate respiratory issues for vulnerable groups but also signify a growing need for proactive air quality measures and public awareness across Maharashtra. These steps are essential to safeguard health during high-emission periods and ensure cleaner air for all residents, from large cities to smaller towns.”
Respirer Living Sciences Pvt. Ltd. is a leading climate-tech startup in India, dedicated to achieving cleaner air and accelerating the transition to cleaner energy.
