If you’ve ever wondered whether clean air and a comfortable city life can coexist in India, the answer is yes, and a few cities are proving it every day.

Take Pune, for instance. With an AQI of just 41, it’s a breath of fresh air compared to larger metros. Thanks to its green cover and fewer polluting industries, the “Oxford of the East” offers a calm, student-friendly environment while staying close to Mumbai’s opportunities.

Then there’s Gwalior, with an AQI of 50. Frequent rains keep the air clean, but that’s not its only charm. As a UNESCO Creative City of Music, it blends history, culture, and a growing Smart City makeover that’s improving everyday life.

And Raipur surprises many. Despite being an industrial hub, it still maintains an AQI of 51. Its rapid growth, strong job market, and affordable lifestyle make it one of the most promising non-metro cities in India today.

These cities remind us that clean air isn’t a luxury, it’s achievable. And if India continues in this direction, more cities may soon join the list of places where living well and breathing easy go hand in hand.