Cities of the western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat in grip of growing winter pollution

March 23, 2024

Growing problem of particulate pollution in the cities of the western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat hogged attention during this winter. This winter has been the most polluted in last four years in this region.

This has emerged from the new analysis of the winter PM2.5 trends in the cities of western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat (October 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023), that has been carried out by the Urban Lab at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

The fact that the big cities as well as smaller towns have experienced the rise in winter PM2.5 levels, indicates rapid spread of the air pollution problem in the region. This is evident in both seasonal average and peaks. While local pollution is increasing in these rapidly motorising and developing cities, the regional influence is further aggravating the challenge. This is overpowering the advantage of natural ventilation of the coastal climate. This demands immediate roadmap to control pollution form the key sources across the region.