Pune Air Quality: AQI Stays Above 100 On Most October Days; Bhosari Worst At 158 As Dry Weather Traps Dust
Pune’s air quality index has stayed above 100 on all but three days this October, with Bhosari in Pimpri-Chinchwad recording 158.
Photo: Randy Breese / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 29th October 2026: The monsoon has gone, and so has the clean air that came with it. Pune’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has stayed above 100 on all but three days this October, according to data from the Centre’s Sameer app, putting the city in the “moderate” range for most of the month.
The city’s AQI touched 141 on October 22 and was 130 on the morning of October 26. The only days it dipped below 100 were October 4, 5 and 6. For comparison, late September was much better, with readings in the “satisfactory” range of 62 to 88 between September 22 and 26, and a low of 50 on September 27.
Which areas are the worst
Pimpri-Chinchwad has had it harder than Pune city. Its average has been around 142, and Bhosari recorded 158, the highest in the region. In Pune, Revenue Colony in Shivajinagar was the worst at 149 in late October. Dhankawadi touched 146 earlier in the month.
Some other recent readings:
- Savitribai Phule Pune University: 108
- Panchawati-Pashan: 104
- Hadapsar: 97
- Katraj: 91
- Katraj Dairy: 76
On the morning of October 26, PM2.5 levels were 47 µg/m³ and PM10 was 57 µg/m³.
Why the air has turned
It’s a mix of things that happen every year once the rain stops. Without rain to settle it, dust from roads and construction sites stays in the air. Vehicle smoke adds to it, and weak winds mean the pollution doesn’t get carried away. In Pimpri-Chinchwad, construction dust and waste burning are making things worse.
Sharmila Deo of the Pune Airport Action Hub has called for stricter controls, saying it is “time for serious action” before the air gets any worse.
Diwali and winter could push it higher
Air quality in Pune usually gets worse as winter sets in, because cooler air near the ground holds pollution for longer. Diwali, on November 8 this year, adds firecracker smoke on top of that. If the pattern of past years holds, the next few weeks could see more days above 100.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is classed as “moderate”. Most healthy people won’t notice much, but people with asthma, lung or heart conditions, young children and older people may feel it, especially during early-morning walks or long two-wheeler rides. Checking the AQI on the Sameer app before heading out is a simple habit worth picking up. If you’re sensitive to pollution, a well-fitted mask on dusty days helps, and morning exercise near busy roads is best avoided on bad days.
For the latest temperature and rain updates, see our Pune weather report. More stories are in our Pune Weather section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pune’s AQI today?
Pune’s AQI has been in the moderate range for most of October, mostly between 100 and 150. Check the Sameer app or CPCB website for the live reading.
Which area of Pune has the worst air quality?
In October, Bhosari in Pimpri-Chinchwad recorded the highest reading at 158, while Revenue Colony in Shivajinagar was the worst in Pune city at 149.
Why is Pune’s air quality poor after the monsoon?
Dry weather, road and construction dust, vehicle emissions and weak winds keep pollution close to the ground once the rain stops.
