While real-time AQI varies, cities in South India
While real-time AQI varies, cities in South India like Tirunelveli , Madikeri , Vijayapura , Gokarna , and Kannur , along with some Himalayan towns such as Gangtok , often boast India's best air quality, with low AQI readings due to coastal breezes , green cover, and less industrial activity, with Pune and Aizawl also frequently ranking well for cleaner air. 1 Cities Frequently Cited for Good Air Quality (Low AQI) • South India: Tirunelveli, Madikeri, Vijayapura, Koppal , Hubballi (Karnataka); Gokarna, Kannur (Kerala). • Northeast: Gangtok (Sikkim). • Himalayan Foothills : Ooty (Tamil Nadu), Shillong (Meghalaya). • Maharashtra: Pune, Nashik , Mumbai (often better than Delhi/ North India ). • Other: Aizawl (Mizoram), Agartala (Tripura). Why These Cities Have Better Air • Coastal Influence : Sea breezes in places like Gokarna help keep pollution down. • Green Spaces & Geography: Cities like Pune...