Maharashtra: Early Winter Study Reveals Air Quality Rankings - Here's List of Most Polluted Cities

Respirer Living Sciences (RLS) conducted an early winter air quality study across 31 cities in Maharashtra. The research was carried out between November 3 and November 16. According to the findings, Malegaon recorded the highest pollution levels in the state. Sangli was found to have the cleanest air. Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane maintained moderate air quality. 

The data showed big differences in air quality across various regions of Maharashtra. After Malegaon, cities with high pollution levels included Jalgaon, Parbhani, Nagpur, and Kolhapur. In the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, cities like Nagpur were affected by urban and industrial emissions. 

Here are the pollution levels of each city as per the report:

1. Malegaon -105.3

2. Jalgaon - 101.6

3. Nagpur - 81.7

4. Mumbai - 62.2

5. Pune - 60.3

6. Aurangabad - 59.3

7. Amravati - 57.3

8. Chandrapur - 56.3

9. Kalyan - 52.5

10. Sangli - 39.2

Major cities in Maharashtra showed moderate pollution levels. Pune, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane ranked 9th, 10th, 12th, and 14th, respectively.

Meanwhile, Sangli stood out with the cleanest air, maintaining an average PM2.5 level of 39.2 μg/m³. Other cities that performed well included Kalyan, Chandrapur, Amravati, and Aurangabad. These cities were categorized as having "satisfactory" air quality.

Respirer Living Sciences' analysis highlighted the seasonal decline in air quality. The study was conducted using the AtlasAQ platform. 

In Maharashtra, the research pointed out differences in air quality. Sangli’s air quality stood as an example of what can be achieved through environmentally focused urban planning. However, areas like Vidarbha and Marathwada face challenges due to industrial activity. 

The study reported that Maharashtra's polluted cities had average PM2.5 concentrations ranging from 80 to 105 μg/m³. In contrast, cities with cleaner air had levels between 39 and 59 μg/m³.

Nationally, Delhi was the most polluted city in the study. Its average PM2.5 level was 243.3 μg/m³ during early November. Ghaziabad and Chandigarh followed, recording 166.5 and 155.3 μg/m³, respectively.