SRINAGAR: Air quality in Srinagar witnessed a marked improvement in 2025, with the city recording only four “bad” air quality days during the year, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The data, presented in response to a starred question on measures to curb air pollution, shows Srinagar recorded 230 good air quality days (Good, Satisfactory and Moderate categories) and only four bad days (Poor, Very Poor and Severe categories) in 2025, a significant improvement over previous years.
The figures indicate a steady improvement in the Valley’s summer capital over the past three years. In 2023, Srinagar recorded 206 good days and one bad day. In 2024, the city registered 138 good days and no bad days, while in 2025 the number of good days rose sharply to 230, although four days fell in the poor category. No “very poor” or “severe” air quality days were recorded during the year.
The report also includes Pampore in Jammu and Kashmir. Monitoring data for Pampore was unavailable for 2023 and 2024. However, in 2025, the town recorded nine good air quality days and three bad days, based on the available observations.
In its reply, the Centre said the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is being implemented in 130 non-attainment and million-plus cities across 24 States and Union Territories. The government said Rs 16,423.56 crore has been released as performance-based grants for implementing city-specific clean air action plans. It added that 108 cities recorded reductions in PM10 concentrations in 2025-26 compared with 2017-18, with 72 cities reducing PM10 levels by more than 20 per cent and 26 cities by more than 40 per cent. The government also said 14 cities met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 2025-26, up from six cities in 2017-18.
The ministry said air pollution is regulated by State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees under the Air Act, 1981, while a range of measures, including continuous emission monitoring for highly polluting industries and implementation of city-specific action plans, are being undertaken to improve air quality across the country.
