Indore records one-point fall in 2026 Clean Air Survey
Indore has fallen to second place in the 2026 Clean Air Survey after scoring 197 out of 200 in the category for cities with a population above one million, according to the ranking released as part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Lucknow topped the list with 198 points, while Jabalpur was third with 195 and Bhopal and Agra tied at 192.
Municipal authorities attributed the slide from the top spot — Indore had scored a perfect 200 in the 2025 survey — chiefly to particulate matter in the PM10 range and high vehicle density in the city. The mayor, Pushyamitra Bhargava, told PTI the city had fallen one point short of Lucknow because it was “lagging behind in PM10 particle standards.”
Mayor outlines targeted measures to curb vehicular pollution
The administration said it will intensify measures across the year to tackle pollution arising from traffic and industries. Announced initiatives include public awareness campaigns, promotion of electric mobility and augmentation of public transport options.
- Public awareness: “Red Light On, Engine Off” drives at traffic signals to reduce idling emissions;
- Electric mobility: accelerated promotion of electric vehicles and operation of e-buses on city routes;
- Municipal fleet electrification: plans to convert door-to-door garbage-collection vehicles to electric alternatives;
- Industrial and road-dust controls: continued adherence to NCAP measures addressing industrial emissions and road dust management.
“We scored one point lower than Lucknow in the survey due to (the city) lagging behind in PM10 particle standards,”
The administration highlighted that Indore has the highest vehicle density in Madhya Pradesh, a factor that increases exposure to fine and coarse particulates in busy corridors. PM10 particles — coarse inhalable particles with diameters of 10 micrometres or less — are associated with respiratory and cardiovascular impacts and are a key parameter in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan Framework used for rankings.
| City | Score (2026) |
|---|---|
| Lucknow | 198 |
| Indore | 197 |
| Jabalpur | 195 |
| Bhopal | 192 |
| Agra | 192 |
Authorities said the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards, held on September 7, 2026, recognised top performers under NCAP and highlighted best practices from cities that showed measurable improvements. The Swachh Vayu Survekshan Framework, released in 2022-23, evaluates cities on measures to reduce road dust, vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.
For Indore — a commercial hub with dense road traffic — the immediate focus will be on curbing emissions from transport and improving public-awareness to change commuter behaviour. Municipal officials indicated that operational changes, stricter enforcement of anti-idling norms, faster deployment of e-buses and incentives for electric two- and four-wheelers will form the core of the action plan.
Environmental and public-health implications of a rise in PM10 concentrations are particularly significant for vulnerable groups in urban and peri-urban pockets around Indore. The administration’s emphasis on converting municipal service vehicles to electric power aims both to reduce localised emissions and to demonstrate cleaner-mobility transitions that could be replicated in smaller towns across the region.
Officials said progress will be monitored against NCAP benchmarks throughout the year, with the aim of regaining top position in future assessments while sustaining improvements in air quality for residents and commuters.
