Ludhiana exceeds national Ambient Air Quality Standards, says data

The recent air quality data from Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) station has made a startling revelation about the consistent breach of safe pollution thresholds in the city.

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 seven 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 metre (µg/m³), according to CREA’s (Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air) analysis. This is above the national safe limit of 40 µg/m³ set for protecting 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.

Despite this insights, the city is operating with only a single CAAQM station, making it difficult to capture real-time, localised variations in pollution — especially in densely populated or industrial zones. “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).

“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 organisations are calling for an integrated clean air strategy — one that is rooted in data, health equity and public accountability.