The levels of PM10, or particulate matter of diameter 0.01 micrometre and less, have decreased in 12 cities of Maharashtra, but gone up in seven. PM10 has gone down 42% in Mumbai from 2017-18 to 2023-24, followed by 23% in Akola and 20% in Thane and Latur.
But in Pune, Kolhapur and Chandrapur, the decrease has only been 4%, 3% and 1%. And in Navi Mumbai, PM10 has increased, as also in Jalgaon, Solapur, Aurangabad.

The data was released on Thursday by the ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) as part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). “Stringent norms have been imposed on ready mix concrete plants. Widespread awareness has also helped.
We conduct mechanical sweeping and then spray water in order to avoid resuspension of particles,” said regional officer (Mumbai) Ravi Andhale. PM10 is inhalable and mainly emitted through construction activity, traffic movement on road, wood burning and fossil fuel power plants. Increase in PM10 leads to a deterioration of air quality, reflected in a particular area’s air quality index (AQI).
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Union minister Kirti Vardhan Singh (MoEFCC) said, “As per the annual performance assessment carried out for 2023-24, as many as 97 out of 130 cities have shown improvement in air quality in terms of PM10 concentrations in FY 2023-24 as compared to 2017-18.”
Member secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Avinash Dhakane said, “Compliance activities, such as 30ft tin sheets around construction zones, have been implemented. We have promoted CNG usage instead of fossil fuel. There are certainly some spikes, but it’s all about implementation.”
Some have questioned the claim that PM10 levels have decreased in some cities, given that emissions and construction activity have gone up in big cities. Hema Chari Madabhushi, a member of Warrior Moms, which fights for air quality, said ailments attributed to PM10 are increasing, making the statement “unbelievable”. “Sprinklers or water spraying help suppress dust resuspension on roads, but it’s unlikely to be the only reason for decrease in PM10 levels. Stricter construction regulations need to be introduced.”