1 week ago
Pune Air Action Hub Proposes Data-Based Use Of ₹105 Crore
Pune has money set aside to help make its air cleaner.
About ₹105.25 crore of this money has not yet been used.
The Pune Air Action Hub told the municipal corporation how the money could be spent.
Its ideas include tackling pollution from vehicles, construction, open burning and crematoria.
It also wants a special team to manage air-quality work.
One Hub member said stronger enforcement could help control pollution sources.
Another member warned that money should not be spent quickly just to meet a deadline.
The Hub wants the plans to be based on data and discussed publicly.
The Pune Air Action Hub recommended how PMC should spend ₹105.25 crore in unspent air-quality funds.
The money comes from the National Clean Air Programme and 15th Finance Commission grants.
PMC has used ₹166.24 crore received between 2020-21 and 2025-26, with ₹105.25 crore remaining.
Recommendations target pollution from transport, construction, open burning and crematoria, alongside a dedicated Air Quality Cell.
The Hub urged public disclosure and stakeholder consultations, warning against rushed spending on measures such as mist fountains.
- Who
- The Pune Air Action Hub and Pune Municipal Corporation, following direction from the Maharashtra Environment and Climate Change Department.
- What
- Recommendations were submitted for using ₹105.25 crore in unspent air-quality funds and improving pollution-control measures.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra.
- When
- The funds were received between 2020-21 and 2025-26; PMC must submit a utilisation certificate by September 5.
- Why
- To accelerate use of unspent air-quality grants while directing spending toward pollution sources and stronger governance.
Evidence-Based, Accountable Spending
Rapid Fund Utilisation
Spending priorities
Evidence-Based, Accountable Spending
The Hub said allocations should be based on data, expected outcomes and clear timelines, citing limited evidence that mist fountains reduce emissions.
Rapid Fund Utilisation
The Maharashtra Environment and Climate Change Department directed PMC to speed up utilisation of the unspent funds and submit a utilisation certificate by September 5.
Pollution control
Evidence-Based, Accountable Spending
The Hub supports stronger and persistent enforcement against open burning, construction violations and highly polluting vehicles, along with a dedicated Air Quality Cell.
Rapid Fund Utilisation
The available reporting does not specify an alternative pollution-control programme from PMC, but the civic body is under pressure to use the grants more quickly.
Public oversight
Evidence-Based, Accountable Spending
The Hub urged PMC to make proposed allocations public and consult stakeholders before finalising them.
Rapid Fund Utilisation
The deadline-driven utilisation process places emphasis on completing spending and documentation within the required timeframe.
Key facts
- Unspent funds
- ₹105.25 crore remains from air-quality grants.
- Funds used
- PMC has used ₹166.24 crore from grants received between 2020-21 and 2025-26.
- Funding sources
- The National Clean Air Programme and 15th Finance Commission grants.
- Deadline
- PMC has been asked to submit a utilisation certificate by September 5.
- Suggested sectors
- Transport, construction, open burning and crematoria.
- Governance proposal
- Creation of a dedicated Air Quality Cell.
- Transparency proposal
- Publish proposed allocations and finalise them after stakeholder consultations.
Quotes
Ravindra Sinha
Pune Air Action Hub member
“These suggestions are based on data from the recent Environment Status Report. Strengthening enforcement systems is important across sectors such as open burning, construction violations and highly polluting vehicles. With dedicated and persistent enforcement, these sources of pollution can be controlled.”
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Sources
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