Ludhiana: In a significant environmental milestone, the city recorded not a single day of 'poor' or 'very poor' air quality during the first five months of 2026, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) ahead of World Environment Day. The overwhelming majority of days between January and May fell into the 'satisfactory' category, which, as per CPCB guidelines, poses only a minor risk of breathing discomfort for sensitive individuals.
Steady Improvement Over Four Years
This achievement is part of a sustained upward trend in Ludhiana's air quality. CPCB records indicate that the number of 'satisfactory' air days in the January–May period rose steadily from 44 days in 2023 to 79 days in 2026. Meanwhile, 'moderate' quality days—which can cause breathing discomfort for people with lung, asthma, and heart diseases—declined from 77 days in 2023 to 70 days in 2026.
Drastic Reduction in Severe Pollution
The data highlights a dramatic decrease in severe pollution categories over the past four years. 'Poor' air quality days during the five-month window plummeted from 22 in 2023 to just two in 2025, and finally to zero in 2026. Similarly, 'very poor' air days dropped from five in 2023 to one in 2024, and have remained at zero in both 2025 and 2026.
Multipronged Strategy Behind the Shift
An anonymous official from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) attributed the positive change to a comprehensive strategy targeting major local pollution sources. These include factory emissions, stubble burning, and garbage burning. The official emphasized that coordinated efforts have been key to achieving these results.
Residents Voice Ongoing Concerns
Despite the statistical progress, local residents stress that urban air pollution remains a pressing health issue requiring sustained intervention. Civic advocate Narinder Singh noted that while the five-month improvement is encouraging, continued collaboration between government agencies and the community is essential to protect vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. Residents also reported that unauthorized garbage burning persists in several neighborhoods, causing localized suffocation and health distress.
