Indore looks clean on surface, but air tells a different story

Something is not right with the air in Indore. Once known for its cleanliness, the city is now grappling with growing air pollution. Since April 1, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has not dropped below 100. On April 9, it spiked to 236, a level that poses health risks to everyone, not just sensitive groups.

Indore’s air quality worsened steadily since April 1

Data from the real-time monitoring station at Chhoti Gwaltoli shows the AQI reached 158 on Monday. A day earlier, it was 147. This isn’t a temporary rise. The last safe AQI reading was on March 16, and since then, every day has recorded unhealthy air levels.

Experts warn that AQI levels above 100 can be harmful to children, the elderly, and respiratory patients, and levels above 200 may affect even healthy individuals.

Pollution Control Board officials say multiple reasons are behind this rise—stubble burning on city borders, growing vehicle numbers, rising temperatures, and large-scale construction work. Lack of strong wind has only made things worse, allowing pollutants to settle in the lower atmosphere where people breathe.

AQI measures harmful substances like PM-10, PM-2.5, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone. Among these, PM2.5 is especially harmful. These fine particles are small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream. Long-term exposure can lead to asthma, heart disease, and other serious conditions.

A recent study by IIT Indore shows the problem goes beyond the city. The entire state of Madhya Pradesh is seeing high pollution levels. According to the research, MP residents are now exposed to dangerously polluted air for 70 to 80 days each year. Just a decade ago, this number was around 15 to 25 days annually.

Professor Suhas Joshi, Director of IIT Indore, said, “While Madhya Pradesh has lower pollution levels compared to Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the rising trend of PM2.5 concentrations and its severe health impact, especially on women, cannot be overlooked.”

MP’s pollution levels are 8 to 9 times above WHO norms

PM-2.5 levels in Madhya Pradesh average between 40 to 45 micrograms per cubic meter annually—at the edge of India’s national limit. But on peak days, this number shoots up to 200 or more. The World Health Organisation recommends an annual limit of just 5 micrograms. This means MP’s pollution levels are 8 to 9 times above WHO norms—and 20 times higher on extreme days.

Professor Manish Kumar Goyal, who led the study, warned, “Madhya Pradesh slightly exceeds the annual limit, and during peak pollution days, PM2.5 concentrations rise 4-5 times above the 24-hour limit. On a global scale, WHO has much stricter guidelines. The pollution levels we are seeing here exceed WHO’s standards by 8 to 9 times annually and by 20 times on extreme days. That should worry all of us.”

Prof. Goyal said, “The study compares pollution levels with India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which set an annual PM2.5 limit at 40 µg/m³ and a 24-hour limit at 60 µg/m³. Madhya Pradesh slightly exceeds the annual limit, and during peak pollution days, PM2.5 concentrations rise 4-5 times above the 24-hour limit. On a global scale, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has much stricter guidelines, recommending an annual PM2.5 level of just 5 µg/m³ and a 24-hour limit of 15 µg/m³. Madhya Pradesh’s pollution levels exceed WHO’s standards by 8-9 times annually and by 20 times on extreme days, indicating serious air quality concerns despite being lower than Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.” 

These rising pollution levels hit some groups harder than others. Children, the elderly, and people with health issues suffer more. But women, especially in rural areas, face an added threat. They breathe polluted air both outside and inside their homes, putting them at greater risk every day.

Why are women at higher risk?

One factor putting women at higher risk is indoor air pollution. In many rural households, solid fuels like wood and coal are still used for cooking. This generates thick smoke in closed spaces. With fewer windows or exhaust fans, the smoke lingers. Women who spend more time indoors inhale more of these harmful particles.

The IIT Indore study, published in the journal Technology in Society by Elsevier, found that PM2.5 pollution in Madhya Pradesh has increased by 140 percent since 1980. It also reported a 230 percent rise in the number of unsafe air quality days over the last four decades.

This rise in pollution is not limited to Indore. A 2024 report by the Environment Ministry, shared in Parliament, showed that Indore’s PM10 levels rose by 21% in 2023–24 compared to 2017–18. This places Indore among 31 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) that have seen increases in PM10 despite targeted efforts.

Experts say that no part of the body filters out PM-2.5 during breathing. These fine particles go deep into the lungs and, from there, into the blood. This can lead to long-term issues like respiratory infections, cardiovascular problems, and even neurological disorders.

They also point out the role of wind in pollution control. When wind blows at high speed, it disperses pollutants across a larger area, reducing their concentration. But weak wind, especially during summer, allows pollutants to stay closer to the ground, making air more harmful to breathe.

Professor Suhas Joshi emphasized the urgency for coordinated action. “Even though Madhya Pradesh has lower pollution levels than some northern states, the steady increase in PM2.5 concentrations is a major concern. Without effective intervention, we risk seeing a significant rise in pollution-related diseases in the coming years.”

He called for stricter pollution control policies, better monitoring systems, and a push for public awareness. “People need to understand what PM2.5 means for their daily life. This isn't just a statistic. It affects your lungs, your children’s development, and your overall health.”

Indore must act fast on pollution

Some cities have shown that improvement is possible. In Surat, targeted dust control measures at construction sites, strict monitoring of industrial emissions, and better traffic management helped reduce pollution levels. Globally, cities like Tokyo and Copenhagen made gains by investing in public transport and creating cycling zones.

Residents can also play a role. Use air purifiers indoors if possible. Avoid outdoor exercise when AQI levels are high. Reduce dependence on private vehicles. Switch to LPG or electric cooking methods to limit indoor smoke.

There’s also a need for local solutions. Planting more trees, using dust suppression techniques, and shifting to electric buses can all make a difference. Creating green zones around schools and hospitals can help protect the most vulnerable.

Indore has done well in cleaning its streets and managing waste. But air pollution now poses a different kind of challenge. Individuals, industries, and the government must act swiftly to prevent the city from losing the health gains achieved in other areas.

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