Chandigarh: Chandigarh’s battle against air pollution appears to be turning a corner, with the city recording cleaner air for the second consecutive year, according to data released by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC).The city’s annual average Air Quality Index (AQI) moved from 152 in 2024 — sitting in the mid-range of the moderate category — to a cleaner 118 in 2025, still moderate but significantly better.Momentum continued into 2026, with the January-to-June average dropping to 95, pushing the city into the satisfactory category for the first half of the year.This progress helped Chandigarh climb sharply from 27th to 8th position in the National Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025 rankings.Winter breakthroughWinter has historically been Chandigarh’s most challenging period, with stubble-burning smoke from neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, construction dust and stagnant atmospheric conditions combining to produce prolonged spells of poor to very poor air quality. The change in recent years has been striking.Nov 2024 recorded a dangerous monthly average AQI of 263 (poor). By Nov 2025, intensive interventions brought it down to 131 — nearly halved and safely within the moderate range. Dec showed only marginal improvement, moving from 207 in 2024 to 203 in 2025, both at the lower end of poor.Jan delivered the most dramatic turnaround. The month averaged a severe 289 in 2024, dangerously close to the very poor threshold. It improved to 241 in 2025 and then broke into the moderate category in January 2026 with an AQI of 145. February followed suit, improving from 180 in 2024 to 126 in 2025 and further to 112 in 2026.Broader seasonal gainsThe clean-air drive has delivered results beyond winter. March’s AQI fell from 127 (moderate) in 2024 to 97 (satisfactory) in 2025 and 92 in 2026.April, which remained around 112-114 in the previous two years, plunged to a highly satisfactory 70 in 2026. Summer months showed similar gains: May dropped from 148 in 2024 to 111 in 2025 and 77 in 2026, while June moved from 138 to 105 and then to 73.Monsoon months, naturally aided by rainfall, recorded even tighter control. July improved from 73 to 65, August from 59 to 54, and September from 84 to 60 between 2024 and 2025. October, a critical transition month, eased from 142 (moderate) in 2024 to 105 in 2025.Sustained cleaner air could reduce respiratory and heart ailments, hospital visits, asthma attacks and pollution-related health risks, while improving outdoor activity, especially for children and the elderly.BOX1: Comparative Data of Air Quality IndexYear/Month | 2024| 2025| 2026Jan| 289| 241| 145Feb| 180| 126 | 112Mar| 127| 97 | 92Apr|112| 114| 70May| 148| 111|77Jun| 138| 105| 73Jul| 73| 65Aug| 59| 54Sep| 84| 60Oct|142| 105Nov| 263| 131Dec| 207| 203Avg | 152| 118BOX2: UT on improvements“The comparative analysis demonstrates a consistent and marked improvement in air quality. While seasonal variations continue to influence AQI levels. Steps like continuous air quality monitoring, mechanised road sweeping, water sprinkling, anti-smog guns, stricter dust-control measures at construction sites, scientific treatment of legacy waste, expansion of green cover, promotion of cleaner transport and stronger enforcement against polluting activities have helped in improving air quality,” said a UT official.
