Ludhiana's Air Quality Takes a Hit in January 2026
People living in Ludhiana, Punjab's industrial center, are dealing with a tough situation this January. A persistent cold wave has settled over the city. This cold air is mixing with stagnant conditions. The combination is pushing pollution levels much higher than they were at the same time last year.
Data Shows a Clear Decline
Information from the Central Pollution Control Board tells a clear story. For the first fifteen days of 2026, Ludhiana's Air Quality Index stayed almost completely in the "moderate" range. This is better than the "very poor" air the city recorded back in 2023. However, it represents a sharp drop from the cleaner conditions residents breathed during January of 2025.
The city found itself stuck in a 'Moderate' trap for most of the month. On thirteen out of those first fifteen days, the air quality was classified as moderate. The CPCB warns that this level can cause breathing problems for people with lung issues, asthma, or heart disease. Only two days managed to reach the "satisfactory" category.
The contrast with last year is striking. In January 2025, the city enjoyed twelve satisfactory days. It even had one day of "good" air quality within the same two-week period.
Experts Point to Weather and Stagnant Air
Officials from the Punjab Pollution Control Board explain the smoggy conditions. They say a lack of "dispersion" is the main culprit. The dense, cold air acts like a lid over the city. It traps harmful particles close to the ground instead of letting them scatter away.
"The AQI is worse than last year primarily due to the intense cold wave conditions," a source from the PPCB stated. The official added that the long-term view still shows improvement. Current levels are much better than the hazardous pollution seen in 2023 and 2024.
Residents Demand Lasting Solutions
While weather plays a big role, local citizens are calling for more permanent changes. They want a structural shift in how Ludhiana handles pollution from its industries and vehicles.
"Air pollution is a silent health crisis that needs more than just temporary fixes," said Amarjit Kaur, a Ludhiana resident. She emphasized that a real solution requires teamwork. "A permanent solution requires a joint effort. The government must regulate, but residents also need to take responsibility for our environmental footprint."
Tracking a Four-Year Trend
Ludhiana's air quality has been on a rollercoaster over the past four years. The dangerously "Very Poor" days of 2023 have disappeared. Unfortunately, the clean "Good" days of 2025 have also vanished in 2026.
The difference between the two years becomes very clear on January 13th. In 2025, the AQI dropped to a healthy low of 36, which is in the "good" range. On the exact same date in 2026, the AQI peaked at 126, firmly placing it in the "moderate" and more polluted category.
