Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Soars in Clean Air Rankings

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has achieved a remarkable improvement in air quality, climbing 18 positions to rank 16th among 48 cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh in the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026. The city earned 178 out of 200 points, a substantial gain from its previous year's score of 155, which placed it 34th. Civic officials attributed this success to a multi-pronged strategy focusing on curbing pollution sources and promoting cleaner practices.

Key initiatives included rigorous road-dust control through mechanical cleaning and soil removal, alongside scientific waste management to prevent garbage burning and reduce emissions. The implementation of enclosed vehicles for waste transportation has also been crucial, minimizing spillage and odor. Furthermore, the city has boosted its use of electric vehicles for garbage collection, directly reducing local pollution and reliance on fossil fuels.

Continuous inspections and enforcement against violations such as open burning and improper waste disposal, coupled with environmental awareness campaigns, have supported these efforts. The city's air quality index (AQI) reflects these improvements, having decreased from 99 last year to 76 this year, indicating a healthier environment for its residents.