Jharkhand cities see decline in air quality rankings: Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2025 results

Ranchi: Jharkhand cities, including Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Dhanbad, have all recorded a decline in their national air-quality rankings under the Swachh Vayu Survekshan (clean air survey) 2025, released on Tuesday by Union environment minister Dharmendra Yadav.

The annual survey, conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), assesses the performance of 131 non-attainment and million-plus cities across India.In the latest results, Ranchi fell to 37th position, compared to 32nd in 2024. Jamshedpur, which emerged among the top 15 cities last year, dropped sharply from 13th to 30th this year. Dhanbad also slipped marginally, from 34th to 36th.

The data marks a clear setback for Jharkhand, where all three monitored cities lost ground compared to last year.The survey evaluates cities on several parameters, including annual average PM₁₀ concentration levels, as well as the execution of city action plans. These plans cover a wide range of interventions such as the deployment of mechanised road sweepers, paving of unpaved stretches, bioremediation of legacy waste dump sites, development of green belts, strengthening of traffic management systems, handling of construction and demolition waste, and improvements in solid waste management practices.

Performance is measured not only on the reduction of pollution levels but also on the extent of implementation of these action points.A senior official of the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB), on the condition of anonymity, said, “The decline shows that while action is being taken, it has not been sufficient to bring measurable improvement. Cities will now need to push harder on dust control, emission management, and scientific waste handling.”Jharkhand’s cities have been part of the Swachh Vayu Survekshan since 2019, with Ranchi and Jamshedpur classified as million-plus cities and Dhanbad listed under non-attainment cities.