Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025

Indore’s achievement in topping the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025 (SVS) is indeed a significant milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to improve urban air quality. The SVS is an important tool in evaluating and driving action against air pollution in cities, with a particular focus on reducing particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and improving other environmental factors like waste management and road dust mitigation.

Key Takeaways from Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025:

1. Indore’s Top Ranking:
   Indore, which has been consistently recognized as India’s cleanest city, has now taken the lead in air pollution mitigation as well. Despite a slight increase in PM10 levels, Indore managed to secure the top spot in the million-plus-population category, a testament to its effective air quality management strategies. The city's performance is a reflection of comprehensive measures to reduce road dust, manage industrial emissions, and encourage public awareness about air pollution.

2. Cities in Focus:

   • Jabalpur and Agra/Surat followed Indore, marking a significant shift in the air quality rankings for Indian cities.

   • Navi Mumbai (4th), Kanpur (5th), and Bhopal (6th) are also among the top performers in air pollution mitigation.

   • Delhi, traditionally known for its air quality issues, ranks 32nd, highlighting the persistent challenge it faces with air pollution despite efforts under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

3. PM10 Levels and Declines:

   • Mumbai achieved the highest decline in PM10 levels at 44% from 2017-18 to 2024-25, followed by Kolkata (37%), Hyderabad and Bengaluru (26% each), and Delhi (15%).

   • The survey found that 103 out of 130 cities saw a reduction in PM10 levels, a positive trend, though several large metros like Delhi and Chennai are still grappling with air quality issues.

4. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS):

   • A total of 22 cities met the NAAQS by keeping annual average PM10 concentrations below 60 μg/m³, with Chennai being the only big metro city to meet the standard at 58 μg/m³.

   • The fact that only 22 cities met the standards points to the scale of the challenge ahead for India's air quality management systems.

What’s Working and What Needs Improvement?

• Strong Policy Framework: The SVS operates under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which has encouraged healthy competition among cities. The key focus on actionable parameters like dust mitigation, vehicular emissions control, and solid waste management has pushed cities to adopt targeted measures.

• Challenges with PM10: Despite cities taking significant steps to reduce emissions, some, like Indore, are facing challenges with controlling PM10 levels—a key pollutant that contributes to respiratory diseases. This shows that while policy and infrastructure have been improving, more focused efforts are needed on the ground.

• Public Awareness and Engagement: Cities that performed well on the SVS also showed active engagement from local authorities and citizens in improving air quality. Public education on air pollution, including reducing vehicular emissions and waste burning, is key to further progress.

Conclusion

Indore’s success is a model for other cities in India, particularly in how policy frameworks, public awareness, and local government action can improve air quality. However, there is still work to be done, especially in reducing PM10 levels across the board. The competition fostered by the Swachh Vayu Survekshan is an effective tool to keep cities on track, but collaboration at all levels, including the private sector, is necessary for sustainable improvements in air quality.