Pimpri-Chinchwad recorded the second-highest air pollution level in Maharashtra on Sunday, with an overall air quality index (AQI) of 197 at 9 pm; trailing only Nagpur, which recorded an AQI of 217. Pune’s AQI stood at 161 during the same period. Within Pimpri-Chinchwad, Bhosari emerged as the worst-affected location with an AQI of 236, followed by Savata Mali Nagar (225), Gavalinagar (221) and Thergaon (215), indicating elevated pollution levels across several parts of the industrial township.
The air quality readings were obtained from the SAMEER (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) mobile application, managed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which provides real-time information on air quality based on monitoring station data. Air quality in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad had remained elevated since the afternoon. The elevated pollution levels come amid predominantly dry weather conditions in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The absence of rainfall has meant little natural washout of suspended pollutants, allowing particulate matter to remain in the atmosphere.
At 4 pm, Pune recorded an AQI of 153, while Pimpri-Chinchwad’s AQI stood at 202. By 5 pm, Pune’s AQI increased to 163, with Hadapsar recording 204 and Shivajinagar 194. Pimpri-Chinchwad recorded 200. At 8 pm, Pune’s AQI was 160 and Pimpri-Chinchwad’s was 197, indicating that pollution levels remained consistently high through the evening. Pune had recorded an AQI of 132 at 7 pm on October 21, 2025, in the moderate category. Sunday’s reading of 161 was 29 points higher, although the readings were recorded on different dates and at different times.
The comparison with last year’s Diwali-period readings also points to higher pollution levels.
