Bhopal/Delhi47 minutes agoAuthor: Vijay Pratap Singh Baghel
Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a major shift in air quality across several cities over the past three years. According to Air Quality Index (AQI) data for 2023 to 2025 presented in Parliament, Satna reduced the number of severe pollution days from 30 to zero.
However, Pithampur remained a major concern, recording 33 days of severe air pollution in 2025. This means residents were exposed to hazardous air roughly once every 11 days.
Bhopal also showed significant improvement, but the capital still recorded eight severe pollution days in 2025. The data indicates that while some cities in the state have improved rapidly, pollution continues to be a major challenge in industrial areas.
How did Satna transform its air quality?
In 2023, Satna recorded 30 days when air quality was in the severe category. The number fell to zero in both 2024 and 2025.
This means the city did not record a single ‘severe pollution day’ for two consecutive years. Based on the available data, this is among the biggest improvements recorded by any city in Madhya Pradesh.
Pithampur emerges as the biggest concern
The industrial city of Pithampur recorded 19 severe pollution days in 2023, 31 in 2024 and 33 in 2025.
This means that in 2025, the city’s air quality reached the severe category approximately once every 11 days. Among the Madhya Pradesh cities for which data is available, Pithampur recorded the worst situation.
Bhopal sees relief, but risk remains
Bhopal recorded 36 severe pollution days in 2023 and 40 in 2024. The figure dropped sharply to eight in 2025.
Although the improvement is significant, the capital has not yet become completely free of severe air pollution.
Government implementing national clean air programme
The figures were provided by Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav in the Lok Sabha on Monday in response to a question on air pollution control.
The Centre said efforts under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) are now showing results.
According to the government, performance-based incentives worth ₹16,423.56 crore have been released to 130 non-attainment cities across 24 states and Union Territories to reduce air pollution.
As a result, PM10 concentrations declined in 108 cities in 2025-26 compared with 2017-18. Of these, 72 cities recorded a reduction of more than 20%, while 26 cities saw a decline of more than 40%.
In 2025-26, 14 cities reached the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, compared with just six cities in 2017-18.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav provided this information in response to a question related to air pollution control in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Industries and vehicles under increased monitoring
The government said State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees regulate and monitor industries under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
Under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, environmental clearance and regular compliance reports are mandatory for several industries.
The government has also made Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) mandatory for 17 highly polluting industries. The system allows pollution data to be transmitted directly to the Central and State Pollution Control Boards.
Action is taken under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, when violations are detected.
600 Nagar Vans, 400 Nagar Vatikaas being developed
The government said work is underway to develop 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatikaas between 2020-21 and 2026-27.
The initiative aims to increase green spaces in cities, conserve biodiversity and improve people’s quality of life. Central assistance is being provided through the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund.
₹1,076 crore allocated to 18 states under Green India Mission
Under the National Mission for a Green India, ₹1,076.34 crore has been allocated for afforestation and restoration across 1.84 lakh hectares in 18 states and Union Territories.
In addition, ₹6,769.25 crore has been approved for states over the past five years under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act for activities including afforestation, natural regeneration and artificial regeneration.
Nine national missions to tackle climate change
The government said nine national missions are being implemented under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) to reduce the impact of climate change and encourage public participation.
All 36 states and Union Territories have prepared their respective State Action Plans on Climate Change.
Other initiatives being implemented include the National Adaptation Fund, Jal Jeevan Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, NICRA and the Green India Mission.
