ગુજરાતી
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Ahmedabad, September 30, 2025
The central government provided financial assistance of ₹1,282 crore to Gujarat over five years, of which ₹957 crore was spent. Yet, there has been no improvement in pollution. A report presented in the Lok Sabha states that ₹957 crore was spent in Gujarat over five years. Yet, pollution control in Gujarat remains elusive. A grant of ₹325 crore remains unused.
The government is not taking any concrete steps to address this serious problem that has persisted for years. According to the Pollution Control Board’s 2024-25 report, noise pollution in Ahmedabad increases during Navratri. The maximum noise level in Ahmedabad East is 103 decibels and in Ahmedabad West is 85.80 decibels. This noise is extremely harmful to human hearing.
Smoke increased
Furthermore, during Diwali, the air quality in Ahmedabad city reached PM 10 levels of 165 and PM 2.5 levels of 38.33. In rural areas of Ahmedabad, the air quality reached PM 10 levels of 197 and PM 2.5 levels of 94.
Gujarat’s rivers are polluted, and groundwater in 10 districts is undrinkable. The situation is becoming more serious day by day.
However, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board has completely failed to control pollution. Importantly, even though the government and the Pollution Control Board claim that air and water pollution in Gujarat have improved, in reality, the situation has not improved significantly.
Expenditures
Over the past five years, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has spent ₹425.83 crore (US$1.2 billion) on air quality control programs. Despite this, air pollution in the city continues to rise. In addition to the Pirana landfill, the health of residents in the areas around Rakhiyal and the Sardar Patel Stadium is being adversely affected. On December 26th, the air quality index in Pirana was recorded at 320. On December 28th, the air quality index in Rakhiyal was recorded at 211, and on December 27th, the air quality index in Sardar Patel Stadium was recorded at 276.
Fourteen of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are located in India alone. Delhi, Patna, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Ahmedabad, and some cities in Bihar are considered extremely dangerous for PM2.5 particulate matter.
Ahmedabad, Ankleshwar, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Chikhli, Daman, Dholka, Dwarka, Gandhinagar, Godhra, Jamnagar, Jasdan, Meghraj, Nandod, Navsari, Porbandar, Rajkot, Shihor, Surat, Vadodara, Valsad, Vapi, and Mehsana are the most polluted cities in Gujarat.
Eighteen cities in South Asia are included. These include Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Chittagong, Dhaka, Hyderabad, Karachi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Surat.
Pollution levels in Ahmedabad’s SG Highway, CG Road, Ashram Road, Kot area, and eastern areas are double the average.
After 4 p.m., PM 2.5 levels rise to dangerous levels. This is due to traffic in the west and factories in the east. The air quality index in Hansol, Chandkheda, and Raikhad is above 120, which is harmful for people with sensitive bodies.
According to a World Health Organization report, Ahmedabad’s PM 2.5 levels were 2.2 times higher than normal.
Eighteen cities in Asia are experiencing severe air pollution, with 12,100 people severely affected by it, a threefold increase compared to the previous ten years.
150,000 premature deaths occur every year in Asian cities. This figure rose from 50,000 in 2005 to 275,000 in 2021.
AQI
Pollution is measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI). Different units of AQI determine the level of pollution. An AQI between 200 and 300 is considered poor, while an AQI between 300 and 400 is considered very poor.
Ahmedabad
According to data from the Pollution Control Board, air pollution in Ahmedabad is at alarming levels. The AQI has crossed 200 in most areas of Ahmedabad. Air quality is severe in many areas of Ahmedabad. AQI 279 has been recorded in Gyaspur, AQI 327 in Bopal. AQI 250 in Ghuma, AQI 283 in South Bopal. AQI 213 in Rakhiyal, AQI 238 in Navrangpura, AQI 217 in Gota, AQI 185 in Bodkadeva, AQI 204 in Chandkheda, AQI 192 in Maninagar. Air pollution has increased due to bursting of firecrackers on Dev Diwali. It is noteworthy that the air in Ahmedabad has been polluted for the second consecutive day. Pollution in Ahmedabad’s environment is increasing day by day. According to information, after Delhi, Ahmedabad’s air is also getting polluted. According to available data, the city’s AQI has increased due to pollution. The European Space Agency has declared 18 cities of South Asia as the most polluted. These include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Chittagong, Dhaka, Hyderabad, Karachi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune.
Ahmedabad’s water is also polluted.
The rulers and administration of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, with an annual budget of over ₹12,000 crore, often invoke the concept of a megacity and smart city. The harsh reality is that in one year, the municipal administration received 33,139 complaints of water pollution from 48 wards of the city.
The administration received the highest number of complaints related to water pollution in a year: 2,255 from Kharia, 2,027 from Saraspur, 1,810 from Navvadj, and 1,277 from Danilimda ward.
Slogans like “a livable city” are given, but the administration or the ruling party is unable to provide even one meal of clean drinking water to the citizens.
Region
According to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 2019, PM 2.5 concentrations are almost double the desired level of 40 micrograms. 76 micrograms per cubic meter in Vasna and Jamalpur, 72.4 micrograms per cubic meter in Bodakdev, Vejalpur, Naranpura, and Maninagar, 71 micrograms per cubic meter in Sardar Patel Stadium, and 70 micrograms per cubic meter in Jodhpur and India Colony. Thus, air pollution is more prevalent in the city’s posh areas than in industrial areas like Vatva, Naroda, Narol, and Pirana.
Out of the government’s five-year grant of ₹425.83 crore (₹425.83 crore) to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation under the Air Quality Control Program, the corporation spent the most, ₹252.71 crore (₹252.71 crore) on road construction. Despite spending such a large sum over five years, due to negligence and lack of proper supervision by the municipal administration’s engineering department, dust clouds are being seen in Pirana and Gota, along with other areas within the municipal limits, in the mornings and evenings.
Pollution is constantly increasing due to traffic jams.
Air pollution is constantly increasing in areas like Raikhad, besides Rakhiyal, due to traffic jams. According to information received regarding the Air Quality Index, air quality was recorded above 100 in 10 areas of the city during the seven days from December 23 to 29, 2024.
Index recorded.
Despite spending a large amount of money over five years, there has been no improvement in the AQI.
Some time ago, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had ordered the air quality control system for those areas of the city
In areas where air pollution is increasing, attempts were made to spray water with mist machines. However, reliable sources indicate that the municipal administration has stopped spraying water with mist machines after some time, either due to protests from residents or other reasons. Despite spending significant sums over five years on air quality control, no positive results are being seen.
Where is the maximum air quality index?
From December 23rd to 29th, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation measured the air quality index at ten different locations in the city, and the maximum index was recorded as follows.
City’s air quality remains low since 6 am
Morning air pollution in Ahmedabad is worsening, just like during peak hours. Road dust levels from school buses and college-bound vehicles have increased so much that low levels of both particulate matter 2.5 and 10 are being recorded in Ahmedabad’s air since 6 am. Currently, Ahmedabad’s air quality index is 25 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter. On July 19th, sand particles in the air were recorded at 62 micrograms per cubic meter, which should be below the normal 50, but is at a dangerous level.
Gyaspur, near Ahmedabad, recorded a dangerous level of 134 micrograms per cubic meter in the morning.
Highest dust pollution in this area of Ahmedabad
In 2025, pollution reached dangerous levels for five days in January and remained less dangerous the rest of the time. In March, it remained at dangerous levels for another five days. Currently, July has seen 18 consecutive days of low levels. Based on last year’s average, Ahmedabad’s pollution level was 64 micrograms per cubic meter. If someone continuously lives in such an environment, the harm is equivalent to smoking 647 cigarettes per year. The Raikhad area of Ahmedabad is experiencing the highest dust pollution.
Currently, PM 10 levels are particularly dangerous in the area from Circle P to Sarkhej on the SG Highway. Similarly, PM 10 levels are also being observed at dangerous levels in areas around Bhopal.
Gujarat
Leshwar: Ahmedabad city ranks first in terms of pollution in Gujarat. The Central Forest Department has released a list of the most polluted cities in the country, in which Gujarat’s air quality index has been poor. The problem of air pollution in Gujarat has created a serious situation. The central and state governments are spending millions and crores of rupees to reduce pollution, but the situation has not improved significantly. The Central Forest Department has released a list of the most polluted cities in the country, in which Ahmedabad city of Gujarat has come first. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Gujarat has been extremely poor. Smoke from factories and industries is also making the air more toxic. Meanwhile, a monitoring system has been installed in Ahmedabad to monitor the level of air pollution. Furthermore, screens have been installed in some locations, allowing the central and state governments to assess air pollution levels in that area. Crores of rupees have been spent to reduce air pollution, but the situation remains largely unchanged. The level of particulate matter (PM-10) in the air continues to rise.
The Union Forest and Environment Department released a list of the country’s most polluted cities in the Lok Sabha, with Ahmedabad, Gujarat, topping the list. Vatva also topped the list. The annual average PM-10 level in Vatva was 160, while Ahmedabad recorded a PM-10 level of 121. Within the state, Ankleshwar recorded an annual PM-10 level of 120, Rajkot 118, Jamnagar 116, Vapi 114, Vadodara 111, and Surat 100. However, among the state’s major cities, air pollution is much lower in the capital, Gandhinagar. The PM-10 level here was recorded at 78.
In Gujarat, not only industries, but also textile mills, including dyeing and printing plants, various GIDCs, and sugar factories discharge chemical-laden wastewater into rivers. This chemical-laden wastewater has also polluted groundwater. The Central Forest and Environment Department has received complaints that GIDCs Nandesari and Pandesara are polluting rivers and groundwater. Similar complaints have been received against the GACL Dahej plant in Bharuch and Nyara Energy-Jamnagar. The Ruska pipeline in Motera is also causing pollution. Furthermore, denim and cotton factories in the Naroda area of Ahmedabad are polluting rivers and groundwater. The Kharikat Canal is also a contributing factor.
The Central Forest and Environment Department has received complaints mostly against various textile mills in Surat. In addition to Surat, complaints of river and groundwater pollution have also been received from several locations, including Vapi, Kadodara-Surat, and sugar factories in South Gujarat. Therefore, the Central Forest and Environment Department has issued show-cause notices to the industries concerned, seeking clarifications.
Industries are polluting rivers and groundwater in Gujarat. The Ruska pipeline in Motera is also causing pollution. Furthermore, denim and cotton factories in Ahmedabad’s Naroda area are polluting rivers and groundwater.
Polluted. Furthermore, the Kharikut Canal is also responsible for the pollution.
Polluted Rivers
20 rivers in Gujarat were polluted. 311 rivers across the country were polluted.
Most Polluted Rivers in Gujarat in 2021
River Polluted Area BOD Rate
Amalkhadi near Ankleshwar 49.0
Bhadar near Jetpur 258.6
Dhadar near Kothada 33.0
L
Khari near Ali village 195.0
Sabarmati from Raisan to Vautha 292.0
Vishwamitri near Khalipur village 38.0
Mindhola near Sachin 28.0
Mahi Kotana to Mujpur 12.0
Shedi near Kheda 6.2
Bhogavo near Surendranagar 6.0
Bhukhi Khadi near Waghra 3.9
Damanganga near Kachigaon and Chandod 5.3
Tapi near Nizar 3.4
(BOD: Biochemical Oxygen Demand)
Disease
Nearly 90 percent of the world’s population breathes air that is hazardous to human health. Fine particles like PM2.5, invisible to the naked eye, enter the lungs, leading to life-threatening diseases like respiratory problems, heart disease, cancer, and asthma. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution alone kills approximately 7 million people each year. Sadly, children, the elderly, and asthma suffer the most.
Asthma: Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing, which impacts their activities, both school and home.
Chronic bronchitis: Air pollution causes persistent inflammation of the airways, leading to prolonged coughing. This can sometimes lead to breathing difficulties, forcing individuals to rely on oxygen.
Lung cancer: Lung cancer has also become a major risk factor. Prolonged exposure to polluted air, especially in cities, is becoming a major cause of cancer cases.
Diseases like heart disease and stroke: Both of these diseases are directly linked to air pollution. Toxins block arteries and affect blood pressure. As a result, people suddenly lose their lives due to heart attacks or strokes.
Eye problems: Redness, swelling, and blurred vision have become common. People constantly have eye problems, and everything they see seems to be happening.
Skin diseases: Allergies, itching, and rashes are on the rise. Skin in young children is becoming more sensitive.
Thyroid and hormonal imbalances: Diseases affecting internal organs, such as thyroid and hormonal imbalances, are also on the rise. Hormonal changes, especially in women, are increasing, largely due to industrial chemical pollution.
Mental effects: Air pollution is leading to an increase in childhood brain development disorders, ADHD, and autism.
Kidneys and liver: Internal structures like the kidneys and spleen are no longer safe. Toxic metals such as lead and mercury gradually accumulate in the body, damaging underlying organ systems.
All of these diseases have not only immediate but also long-term harmful consequences. This reduces people’s performance, increases healthcare costs, and diminishes quality of life. This places a heavy burden not only on individuals but also on the entire country’s healthcare system and economy.
Death
Nitrogen oxide is damaging citizens’ lungs through PM 2.5-sized particles.
Rising PM 2.5 particles caused by pollution harm the entire body. This is why millions of people in South and East Asia are dying prematurely due to pollution.
With the increase in toxic particles in the air, cases of colds, coughs, and bronchitis have also increased. At the same time, increasing air pollution can prove dangerous for people infected with COVID-19, as these patients are unable to breathe and, as a result, require treatment in the ICU.
Rising PM 2.5 particles caused by pollution spread damage throughout the body. This is why millions of people in South and East Asia are suffering from pollution. People are dying prematurely. 121,000 people are suffering from severe pollution. This proportion has increased over the last 10 years.
In which Asian cities do 150,000 people die prematurely each year? In 2005, this figure was 50,000, and has now reached 275,000.
1.6 million people die annually in India due to pollution. Many cities in Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, have become uninhabitable. Life expectancy in cities has decreased by 10 years.
In 2021, ISRO conducted a study on the concentration of air pollution (PM2.5) per ward in all areas of the city. It is known that people living in areas with PM2.5 micrograms (mcg) per cubic meter are at risk of developing cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, lung disease, etc. in the long term, and this can increase mortality.
Considering pollution data, poor air quality, along with dust from large vehicles, poses a major threat to two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. This is even more dangerous for people with asthma and weak lungs. In areas with heavy construction, dust levels increase, and PM 10 particulate matter levels exceed 100 micrograms per cubic meter in the morning, forcing two-wheeler riders to wear masks in the morning. (Google translation from Gujarati)
