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Ludhiana’s alarming pollution levels spark calls for widespread air monitoring across Punjab
Babushai Bureau
Ludhiana (Punjab), May 2, 2025: Ludhiana, May 2, 2025: Recent air quality data from February and March 2025 reveal stark contrasts between the cities of Ludhiana and Amritsar, underscoring the urgent need to expand and strengthen air quality monitoring systems across Punjab.
Air quality data from the only Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) stations currently operating in Ludhiana reveals a consistent breach of safe pollution thresholds—particularly for PM10, a coarse particulate matter linked to serious respiratory and cardiovascular health issues.
According to official records, Ludhiana exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10 on 15 days each in February and March. For PM2.5, exceedances occurred on 7 days in February and 12 days in March.
The air in Ludhiana was very polluted in February and March. PM2.5 levels—tiny harmful particles from dust, smoke, and pollution that can enter the lungs and bloodstream—were 53 and 52 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), according to CREA’s (Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air) analysis. That’s above the national safe limit of 40 µg/m³, set to protect people from serious health risks like asthma, lung disease, and heart problems.
PM10 levels—larger particles that can still cause respiratory issues—were also high, averaging 100 µg/m³ in February and 103 µg/m³ in March, nearly twice the standard limit of 60 µg/m³.
These figures underscore the severity and persistence of Ludhiana’s air pollution crisis.
In contrast, Amritsar exhibited much cleaner air. In February, PM2.5 levels remained within safe limits on all days, and only 10 days showed PM10 exceedances.
By March, both PM2.5 and PM10 levels surpassed safe thresholds on just 1 day each—suggesting significant improvement and a possible model for intervention.
Despite these insights, both cities operate with only a single CAAQM station, making it difficult to capture real-time, localized variations in pollution—especially in densely populated or industrial zones.
Experts are urging state and municipal authorities to urgently invest in expanding the air quality monitoring network to inform effective public health interventions.
“This data provides a valuable window into Punjab’s urban air quality challenges,” said Manoj Kumar, Analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Ludhiana’s persistent exceedances point to urgent intervention needs. Scaling up monitoring infrastructure is essential if Punjab is to design evidence-based and health-centred clean air strategies.
“We cannot solve what we do not measure,” added Gurpreet Kaur from Clean Air Punjab. Communities have a right to know the quality of the air they breathe. Expanding the monitoring network across Punjab is not just a technical need—it’s a matter of public health and environmental justice.”
The findings come at a critical time as Punjab prepares for the summer season when changes in temperature and wind patterns can exacerbate pollution levels.
Civil society groups, research institutions, and community-based organizations are calling for an integrated clean-air strategy—one that is rooted in data, health equity, and public accountability.
The need is clear to build healthier, more resilient cities, Punjab must first build the capacity to measure, understand, and respond to its air quality challenges.