Ahmedabad’s clean-air gains have hit a setback, with the city’s annual average PM10 concentration rising to 101 micrograms per cubic metre in 2025–26, compared with 98 µg/m³ in 2023–24.
The increase is notable because Ahmedabad had earlier made significant progress under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The city’s PM10 level stood at 164 µg/m³ in 2017–18, meaning the latest figure is still substantially below that baseline, but the recent rise shows that maintaining the improvement is proving difficult.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Ahmedabad’s annual PM10 rose to 101 µg/m³ in 2025–26.
The figure was 98 µg/m³ in 2023–24. Ahmedabad’s 2017–18 NCAP baseline was 164 µg/m³.
Vadodara recorded the sharpest rise, reaching 119 µg/m³. Surat improved to 87 µg/m³.
Three of Gujarat’s four NCAP cities recorded higher PM10 levels than two years earlier.
The latest figures also show that Ahmedabad’s experience is part of a wider trend across Gujarat.
Among the state’s four NCAP cities, Vadodara recorded the sharpest increase, with annual PM10 rising from 95 µg/m³ in 2023–24 to 119 µg/m³ in 2025–26.
Rajkot also saw an increase, from 92 to 98 µg/m³.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The issue is bigger than a three-point increase in Ahmedabad’s annual PM10 reading. PM10 refers to particulate matter measuring 10 micrometres or less. These particles can enter the respiratory system, making sustained control of particulate pollution important for public health. Ahmedabad’s latest numbers therefore present a mixed picture: the city remains well below its 2017–18 baseline, but the recent reversal suggests that earlier gains cannot simply be taken for granted.
Surat was the exception. Its annual PM10 level fell from 103 µg/m³ to 87 µg/m³ during the same period.
The numbers underline a larger challenge for rapidly growing cities: reducing pollution once is not enough. Traffic, construction activity, road dust and other urban sources can continue putting pressure on air quality even after earlier improvements.
Gujarat’s PM10 Picture
Ahmedabad
2023–24: 98 µg/m³
2025–26: 101 µg/m³
Trend: ↑ Increase
Vadodara
2023–24: 95 µg/m³
2025–26: 119 µg/m³
Trend: ↑ Increase
Rajkot
2023–24: 92 µg/m³
2025–26: 98 µg/m³
Trend: ↑ Increase
Surat
2023–24: 103 µg/m³
2025–26: 87 µg/m³
Trend: ↓ Improvement
Gujarat Snapshot: Vadodara recorded the highest PM10 level at 119 µg/m³, while Surat showed the strongest improvement, falling to 87 µg/m³.
