Now Reading: Jammu and Kashmir air quality worse than official data shows
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Jammu and Kashmir air quality worse than official data shows
The Story in Brief
Ground sensors run by BreatheOSS show that between 10 September and 24 October, neither Srinagar nor Jammu recorded a single day with air quality the US EPA would classify as 'Good'. The sensor at Kanipora in Srinagar averaged 294 µg/m³ of PM2.5 in November 2025 and 364 µg/m³ in December 2025, with 20 December alone averaging 571 µg/m³. India's daily PM2.5 limit is 60 µg/m³, the WHO recommends 15.
Winter temperature inversions trap smoke in the valley. A 2018 study found that domestic coal made up 84% of PM2.5 emissions from coal, firewood and vehicles in Srinagar. Neither city's official clean-air action plan includes a source apportionment study. Srinagar's leaf-burning ban from 2017 is still being enforced with Rs 10,000 fines. In Jammu, PM2.5 made up 89% of PM10 measured, pointing to smoke and exhaust rather than dust.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The BreatheOSS data puts official clean-air plans in a different light. Srinagar's plan attributes 65 to 75% of pollution to vehicles and omits winter heating entirely, while Jammu's plan blames road dust. The gap means money and enforcement may be aimed at the wrong sources. A source apportionment study, already promised in both plans, would settle the question. Until it is done, the figures in those plans remain guesses.
Source: risingkashmir.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
