Surat's Clean Air Crown Slips: Industrial Emissions and PM10 Drag City Down

Surat notable fall to fifth place in the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Clean Air Survey 2026, also known as the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan, is a sharp wake-up call, primarily due to persistent challenges with industrial emissions and insufficient improvement in Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) levels. This significant slip for the 'Diamond City' from its top position in 2024 (and third in 2025) raises crucial questions about the effectiveness of its pollution control measures and casts a shadow on its previous environmental achievements. The CPCB annual survey, a key component of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), evaluates cities on their active policy execution and comprehensive efforts to combat air pollution, not solely on ambient air quality. Surat, a major industrial hub, has been a 'non-attainment city' under NCAP and even pioneered an innovative Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in 2019 to tackle industrial pollution, which has shown success in reducing emissions among participating industries. However, recent incidents, such as the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) issuing a notice to the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) in April 2026 over uncontrolled fires and unscientific dumping at the Khajod waste disposal facility, reveal ongoing struggles in managing diverse pollution sources. These issues, alongside the persistent industrial output, underscore the complexities Surat faces in maintaining its clean air goals. With the NCAP revised target of a 40% reduction in PM concentrations or achievement of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by 2025-26, Surat slip demands immediate, intensified action. City authorities, in conjunction with the GPCB, will need to critically re-evaluate and strengthen the Surat Clean Air Action Plan (SCAP), specifically targeting industrial compliance and comprehensive waste management strategies. The coming months will be critical to see if Surat can regain its momentum and demonstrate a tangible commitment to cleaner air, setting a precedent for other industrial cities grappling with similar environmental pressures.