Pune: PMC’s Environment Report 2024 Raises Concerns, Only 52 Good Air Days Logged In 2024
Pune: PMC's Environment Report 2024 Raises Concerns, Only 52 Good Air Days Logged In 2024
Pune, July 31, 2025: The city witnessed a significant decline in air quality in 2024, recording just 52 “good air” days compared to 79 in 2023, according to the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Environmental Status Report (ESR) 2024-25 released on Tuesday.
The number of “moderate air” days rose to 174 from 140 in the previous year, while “satisfactory air” days dropped to 137 from 145. “Poor air” days tripled from one to three. However, there were no “very poor” or “severe” air quality days in either year. Environmental experts have attributed this dip to increased vehicular traffic and ongoing construction activity.
The ESR, part of the Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan, evaluates Pune’s environment across five parameters—air, water, earth, energy, and sky—aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
On a positive note, the city’s green cover improved with 5.78 lakh trees recorded and bird biodiversity rising from 253 to 275 species. Rooftop solar capacity also doubled over two years, reaching 1.66 lakh kW, with over 60% generated from residential users.
Despite marginal improvements in dissolved oxygen levels, water pollution in rivers and lakes remains a concern due to high chemical and biological oxygen demand. The city generates about 2,400 tonnes of waste daily, with 28.5 acres reclaimed through biomining.
Rainfall surged to 1,311 mm in 2024-25—double the previous year—while maximum and minimum temperatures touched 41.8°C and 7.8°C, respectively. Meanwhile, mosquito-borne diseases surged, with dengue cases rising from 3,377 to 4,958 and chikungunya from 40 to 485.
PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram stated the civic body is committed to implementing green initiatives and improving environmental indicators over the next two years.
