Sector 53 was found to be the top polluted hotspot in Chandigarh, followed by Sector 22, according to CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) data, analyzed in a study by a firm.
A report released on Friday identified critical pollution hotspots in Chandigarh, with PM2.5 levels rising in some areas, exceeding safety limits.
The firm also found that Sector 68 was identified as a hotspot near the Chandigarh border using Google Maps AQ data.
The findings revealed that Sector 22, Sector 51, and Sector 47 (near the airport area) are other hotspots identified using Google Maps AQ data.
Three government monitors in Chandigarh recorded PM 2.5 levels of 129 micrograms per cubic meter in November 2024. But later they increased rapidly.
The report emphasized the need for precise, localized efforts to protect public health and improve urban air quality.
The report – Decoding Urban Air: Hyperlocal Insights into PM 2.5 Pollution Across Indian Metropolises – Breathe Living Sciences has revealed air quality conditions currently beyond the scope of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network.
Leveraging hyperlocal data from over 150 sensors deployed in cities, Respire combined air quality analysis from its AtlasAQ platform using CPCB monitoring data and spatial insights overlaid from the Google Maps Air Quality Application Programming Interface (API).
The report provides a 500×500 meter resolution of air quality trends. These innovative technologies reveal pollution patterns that provide actionable insights for policy makers, urban planners and citizens.
Google has partnered with Respirer on the AirView+ initiative to increase air quality monitoring across India.
The findings revealed how Sector 53, Sector 68, and areas near the Chandigarh border emerged as critical pollution zones with sharp PM2.5 spikes in localized areas.
Urban sprawl, high vehicular density, and inadequate green buffers were among the pollution causes identified as major contributors to urban pollution hotspots.
The firm conducting the said study
Respire Living Sciences is a climate technology startup in India, dedicated to achieving clean air and accelerating the transition to clean energy.
Founded in 2017, Respire provides scientifically validated, scalable air quality monitoring tools and real-time air pollution analysis platforms.
Respire’s network includes over 2,500 air quality instruments deployed in over 25 Indian cities and several international locations.
The company collaborates with prestigious institutions like IIT Kanpur and Duke University and is part of ATMAN, a Center of Excellence in Clean Air Technologies supported by the Government of India.