Bengaluru: After three-day Deepavali, air quality across Bengaluru declined 44% over last year, with the air quality index hitting a peak of 141 (moderate) in 2026 against 98 (satisfactory) during 2025.Central Silk Board junction (AQI of 187), Hebbal (184), Hombegowda Nagar (175) and Jayanagar (148) emerged as pollution hotspots.The difference in Bengaluru’s air quality was evident from the moment the firecracker window opened on the first day of Deepavali. By midnight, the city had slipped into the ‘moderate’ air quality category, with the AQI reaching 102. This was in stark contrast to the 2025 reading of 82, which remained in the ‘satisfactory’ category.Interestingly, the pollution burden over the city showed no signs of easing over the next two days of the celebrations. On Monday, the AQI touched 135, marking the second-highest reading of the festive period until then. The following day, it climbed to 141. The peak reading of 141 was recorded at 3 pm and again at 6 pm on Nov 10.The data is an average of readings from 14 ambient air quality monitoring stations set up across Bengaluru. Zone-wise readings show alarmingly high pollution levels.In comparison, Bengaluru’s AQI during Deepavali 2025 peaked at 98 on Oct 21 and subsequently declined, settling at 78 by midnight on Oct 22. However, in 2026, the city’s AQI remained above 130 through much of the third day, reaching 140 at noon and staying at 138 even at 10 pm.Throughout the celebrations, the major pollutants in Bengaluru’s air included PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter, followed by carbon monoxide.Forest, environment and ecology minister Ramalinga Reddy said Bengaluru saw a 20% increase in firecracker sales this year compared to previous years. Usually, vendors report 35% of their inventory as unsold. This year, it dropped to 8%. Due to the cyclone and other climatic conditions, not many showed interest in firecrackers in 2026. “Due to dry weather this year, everybody decided to light crackers, resulting in increased pollution,” the minister explained.
TOI’s report on Bengaluru’s air pollution levels during the first day of Deepavali celebrations.
