Srinagar- Srinagar has slipped five places in the Centre’s 2026 clean air assessment, while Jammu has improved its position, according to the latest Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan rankings.
According to details, Srinagar ranked 26th among cities with populations above 10 lakh, down from 21st in 2025 and fourth in 2023.
Srinagar’s score also declined to 162.6 in 2026, from 169.2 in 2025 and 184.6 in 2023.
Jammu, meanwhile, ranked 20th among cities with populations between three lakh and 10 lakh, improving from 22nd position in 2025. Its score rose to 176.5 this year, compared with 168.2 in 2025 and 102.8 in 2023.
The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is conducted annually by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the National Clean Air Programme to assess cities on their efforts to control air pollution and implement measures under their clean-air action plans.
The assessment covers road dust, vehicular and industrial emissions, construction and demolition waste, municipal solid waste and biomass burning, among other pollution sources. It also takes into account public awareness initiatives and improvements in PM10 concentrations.
Jammu also received recognition for three wards under the state-level awards. Greater Kailash Ward 68 was placed in Category-I, New Plot Ward 16 in Category-II and Bhagwati Nagar Ward 14 in Category-III.
The assessment comes despite significant urban infrastructure spending in Srinagar under the Smart City Mission. Projects worth around Rs 3,530 crore were approved for areas including sanitation, mobility, environment and energy.
Officials said several measures had been undertaken in Srinagar, including plantation drives, the introduction of electric buses and e-rickshaws, mechanical sprinkling of roads, construction of concrete roads and riverfront improvement.
However, solid waste processing, vehicular emissions and construction and demolition waste continue to remain areas of concern. Officials have also acknowledged gaps in waste management.
Among cities with populations above 10 lakh, Lucknow topped the 2026 ranking with a score of 198, followed by Indore at 197 and Jabalpur at 195.
In the three lakh to 10 lakh population category, Rourkela, Firozabad and Guntur secured the first three positions.
This article has been automatically published using a syndicated feed. The content is sourced externally and may not have been reviewed by The Freelancers Team.
