Bengaluru: With the three-day Deepavali celebrations concluding on Wednesday night, Bengaluru and several other cities in Karnataka recorded significant improvements in air quality compared to last year. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) confirmed that this year’s festival period saw one of the cleanest Deepavalis in recent times.

AQI shows remarkable improvement

The three-day average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Bengaluru stood at 83 this year, a notable decline from 120 in 2024, marking a 44% improvement. Statewide, the average AQI during the festival fell by 29% compared to last year. Across 28 monitored towns, Karnataka’s average AQI dropped from 73 in 2024 to 56 in 2025.

Southern districts such as Mysuru, Ramanagara, and Davanagere witnessed sharp declines in AQI, with improvements of up to 120%, while northern districts like Bidar and Belagavi still showed localised increases due to firecracker activity and stagnant air conditions.

Factors behind cleaner celebrations

KSPCB officials attributed the improvement to reduced firecracker usage, favourable weather conditions, and growing public awareness about environmental impact. “People are beginning to realise that cleaner celebrations don’t dim the spirit of the festival. The shift in public behaviour, especially in urban centres, has clearly reflected in the data,” said PM Narendra Swamy, chairman, KSPCB.

Data from Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) showed that most zones in Bengaluru remained within ‘moderate’ AQI levels during the October 20–22 festival period.

Local variations in air quality

Industrial clusters such as Peenya (145) and Kasturinagar (141) recorded the highest spikes, while institutional and residential areas like Nimhans (32) and Jayanagar (60) reported the cleanest air. Interestingly, Bengaluru’s overall AQI also improved by 5% compared to the pre-Deepavali baseline of October 13, 2025 — an uncommon post-festival outcome.

Swamy added that favourable wind patterns and pre-festival rainfall helped disperse pollutants. “The rain might have acted as a spoilsport for celebrations, but it aided in improving air quality,” he said.

Positive signs for the future

The reduction in firecracker usage, combined with increased environmental awareness among citizens, signals a potential long-term improvement in air quality during festivals. Authorities hope that these cleaner Deepavali celebrations will encourage more sustainable practices in the years to come.