Ahmedabad Air Quality: City Records Zero ‘Good Air’ Days in First 10 Months of 2026; AQI Crosses 150 in October
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Ahmedabad residents have not experienced a single day of ‘good’ air quality in the first 10 months of 2026, with pollution levels remaining a concern despite ongoing claims and expenditure on improving the city's environment.
According to a recent report, Ahmedabad recorded 179 days of ‘moderate’ air quality, 70 days of ‘poor’ air quality and 52 days when pollution levels were classified as highly harmful to health during the 303 days up to October 2026. The figures indicate that the city failed to record even one day of ‘good’ air quality during this period.
The findings have raised concerns over the effectiveness of pollution-control measures, with industrial emissions, road dust, construction activity and waste at the Pirana dumping site identified as major contributors to the deteriorating air quality.
AQI Rises Above 150 As Winter Approaches
Ahmedabad's Air Quality Index (AQI), which remained around 72 to 75 during the monsoon months of May and June, climbed above 150 with the arrival of October.
With winter approaching and Diwali only days away, concerns are mounting that pollution levels could rise further. The seasonal change has heightened fears about the impact of deteriorating air quality on residents' health.
Industrial Smoke, Road Dust Add to Pollution
Industrial emissions remain a concern, with black smoke reportedly released at night from the chimneys of several industrial units across the city.
Dust from damaged roads has also added to the problem. Delays in repairing roads affected during the monsoon have allowed dust to spread into the air, while ongoing construction projects continue to contribute to particulate pollution.
The large heaps of waste at the Pirana dumping site have also been cited as a source of concern over the city's air quality.
Questions Over Pollution-Control Spending
The findings have brought renewed attention to the gap between claims of making Ahmedabad pollution-free and conditions on the ground. Despite crores of rupees being spent on environmental improvement and pollution-control initiatives, the reported air-quality figures show no meaningful improvement during the period under review.
With the city recording 52 days of highly harmful air quality in the first 10 months of 2026, the continuing deterioration has become a serious public-health concern for Ahmedabad residents.
