Pune: The CII Cleaner Air Better Life (CABL) initiative, in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), convened a major multi-stakeholder Forum for Clean Air in Pune and launched an advanced Decision Support System (DSS) aimed at strengthening air quality management in the twin cities.
The Forum was jointly convened by Naval Kishore Ram, Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation, and Shveta Arya, Chairperson, CII Cleaner Air Better Life Initiative.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of an advanced Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality management by the CII Cleaner Air Better Life Forum.
The platform is the first of its kind in the region and has been designed to support data-driven air quality management and informed decision-making in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The platform will enable city authorities to access, analyse and utilise air quality data more effectively, helping identify pollution hotspots, assess interventions, and strengthen planning and implementation efforts.
Developed by Airvoice, the Decision Support System for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad provides high-resolution air quality forecasts up to 72 hours in advance.
Built using local emissions inventories, detailed weather forecasts, and advanced atmospheric modelling, the system generates hourly air quality predictions at a 1-kilometre resolution across the region.
By offering a forward-looking view of pollution levels, the platform will help city authorities anticipate pollution episodes, plan timely interventions, investigate emerging air quality events, and target persistent pollution hotspots.
The CII Cleaner Air Better Life initiative said that such proactive and data-driven approaches will become increasingly important as urban centres continue to expand and environmental challenges become more complex.
Organised under the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Cleaner Air Better Life (CABL) Initiative, the Forum served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss priorities, share perspectives, and chart a coordinated pathway towards cleaner air and healthier urban environments.
The CII Cleaner Air Better Life programme is a flagship industry-led initiative launched by CII in partnership with NITI Aayog to address air pollution through collaborative and evidence-based action while strengthening urban environmental governance across India.
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Shveta Arya, Chairperson, CII Cleaner Air Better Life Initiative and Co-Convener of the Clean Air Forum, said, “Since launching the Clean Air Better Life initiative in 2016, CII has focused on bringing together industry, government, researchers, academicians and civil society to develop practical and scalable solutions for improving air quality.
Building on its years of experiences and learnings, CII launched the Clean Air Better Life Programme in Pune in 2023. Today, we are taking the next step forward with delivery of a multi-stakeholder Clean Air Forum and evidence-based action plan as drafted at CABL Action Lab which will now be open for wider stakeholder inputs.”
The Forum also reviewed the draft CABL Action Plan during an interactive roundtable discussion. Discussions focused on identifying priority interventions, enhancing stakeholder coordination, and developing a shared roadmap for improving air quality in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
The CII Cleaner Air Better Life Forum brought together senior representatives from government, industry, academia and civil society to strengthen collaborative efforts for improving air quality across the two cities.
Forum members, including local start-ups, institutions and industries, also presented ideas and proposals for novel solutions.
Delivering the keynote address, Naval Kishore Ram, Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Co-Convener of the Clean Air Forum, said that clean air should not be viewed as a standalone objective but as a shared outcome of how a city plans, grows and sustains itself.
He stated that clean air is closely linked with noise pollution, water, green cover, urban infrastructure and the overall quality of life of citizens.
“As Pune continues its growth, it is important that development and environmental sustainability progress together. The city is fortunate to have leading institutions and experts who can help build data-driven solutions for air quality management.
Through measures such as advanced monitoring solutions with least human interference, low emission zones, first and last mile mobility to support public transportation, green cover, seamless walkability, collaboration with industries and citizen participation, Pune has the opportunity to create a healthier and more sustainable urban future for its citizens,” he said.
Jitendra Dudi, District Collector, Pune, also attended the event and highlighted the need for a focused and collaborative approach to improving air quality in the city.
He said, “Improving air quality in Pune requires a focused and collaborative approach. Based on our discussions and understanding of the city’s challenges, sustainable mobility, stronger public transport, and effective management of key point sources will play a crucial role in cleaner air.
Experts and stakeholders bring valuable knowledge and insights, and the administration is committed to working together to implement practical solutions.”
He further added, “Along with long-term measures, we must also focus on actionable short-term interventions, supported by regular reviews and continuous monitoring in order to ensure that our plans translate into meaningful improvements in air quality for the city.”
About the CII Cleaner Air Better Life (CABL) Initiative
The CII Cleaner Air Better Life Initiative is a flagship, industry-led programme launched by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with NITI Aayog to address air pollution through collaborative and evidence-based action.
The initiative aims to improve air quality and enhance citizens’ quality of life by bringing together government, industry, academia and civil society to develop and implement sustainable solutions.
The CII Cleaner Air Better Life initiative supports cities in designing and executing innovative, data-driven approaches to air quality management, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting collaborative governance.
Through stakeholder engagement, technical support, knowledge sharing and policy advocacy, the initiative seeks to accelerate the adoption of effective interventions that contribute to healthier, more resilient and sustainable urban environments across India.
