Lucknow has risen from 15th to No. 1 among India’s million-plus cities in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2026, scoring 198 out of 200 points. The recognition, announced in September 2026, reflects the city’s efforts to address major sources of air pollution, including road dust, vehicle emissions, waste burning and construction-related pollution.
The city has also implemented measures such as mechanised road sweeping, electric waste-collection vehicles, waste segregation and processing, tree plantation and green corridors. Lucknow’s annual average PM10 concentration fell from 253 micrograms per cubic metre in 2017-18 to 135 micrograms per cubic metre in 2025-26, a reduction of nearly 47%. Mayor Sushma Kharkwal credited the achievement to coordinated efforts by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation and other government agencies.
What Drove The Leap?
Reports indicate that Lucknow’s improved ranking was supported by several measures targeting everyday sources of pollution. These included mechanised road sweeping, improvements in waste collection and management, electric vehicles for waste collection, road-dust control and the expansion of green spaces.
The city reportedly introduced electric vehicles into its waste-collection fleet and strengthened waste segregation and processing. Green corridors and other green spaces were also developed as part of the city’s clean-air efforts. The survey evaluates measures including road dust, waste and biomass burning, vehicular and industrial emissions, construction and demolition waste, public awareness and changes in annual PM10 levels.
राष्ट्रीय स्वच्छ वायु कार्यक्रम (NCAP) – स्वच्छ वायु सर्वेक्षण 2025-26
— Lucknow Municipal Corporation (@LMC_Lucknow) September 10, 2026
राष्ट्रीय स्वच्छ वायु कार्यक्रम (NCAP) के अंतर्गत स्वच्छ वायु सर्वेक्षण 2025-26 में लखनऊ नगर निगम को देश में प्रथम स्थान प्राप्त हुआ है! 🏆✨
इस गौरवपूर्ण उपलब्धि के अवसर पर आयोजित क्षमता संवर्धन एवं जागरूकता… pic.twitter.com/r69UKROPyb
Progress, But Pollution Remains
Lucknow’s rise in the rankings comes alongside a substantial reduction in its annual average PM10 concentration. The level declined from 253 micrograms per cubic metre in 2017-18 to 135 micrograms per cubic metre in 2025-26. However, the 2025-26 average remains above the national annual PM10 standard of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
This means that while the city has made measurable progress, its air pollution levels remain a concern. The Swachh Vayu Survekshan assesses cities on efforts across areas including road dust, waste and biomass burning, vehicular and industrial emissions, construction and demolition waste, public awareness and changes in annual PM10 levels. Lucknow’s Ward 70 also secured the top position nationally among wards with populations above 30,000, scoring 195 points.
लखनऊ के लिए गर्व का ऐतिहासिक क्षण!
— Lucknow Municipal Corporation (@LMC_Lucknow) September 7, 2026
राष्ट्रीय स्वच्छ वायु कार्यक्रम (NCAP) के अंतर्गत सिटी लेवल स्वच्छ वायु सर्वेक्षण 2026 में लखनऊ ने National Clean Air City – Rank 1 हासिल कर देश में प्रथम स्थान प्राप्त किया। 🥇
नई दिल्ली स्थित इंदिरा पर्यावरण भवन में आयोजित सम्मान समारोह में… pic.twitter.com/k8Y0zwtTkS
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Lucknow’s journey from 15th to first demonstrates the value of sustained efforts to address pollution at multiple levels. The reduction in PM10 and the city’s work on waste management, road dust, electric vehicles and green cover are encouraging developments.
At the same time, the 135 micrograms per cubic metre PM10 average shows that being No. 1 in the survey does not mean the air is yet within the national annual standard. The recognition can therefore serve as motivation to continue strengthening the measures already underway while keeping cleaner air as the larger goal.
What do you think other Indian cities can learn from Lucknow’s progress, and what more should be done to make clean air a lasting reality?
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