The Influence of Urban Growth On Air Quality of Panaji City in A Geographical Perspective

The degradation of air quality in many urban areas has been mostly caused by rapid urbanization, population growth, increasing vehicle movement, and shifting land-use patterns. Coastal cities are also not completely free from pollution. In this context, the study examines the air quality status of Panaji city, the capital of Goa, over a period of three years from April 2022 to March 2025. Secondary data were collected from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for Panaji city. Annual average concentrations of each pollutant were calculated and compared with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS, 2009) to evaluate whether pollution levels were within safe limits. The findings show that PM10 levels were slightly higher than the national standard in all three years, although a slow decreasing trend was observed. This indicates that coarse dust particles remain the main air quality concern in Panaji city. PM10 pollution is mainly linked to vehicular traffic, road dust resuspension, construction activities, and increased tourism-related movement. On the other hand, PM2.5 concentrations remained well within permissible limits throughout the study period, suggesting low levels of fine particulate pollution. The gaseous pollutants SO2 and NO2 were recorded at very low concentrations, reflecting the absence of major industries and controlled vehicular emissions in the city. Overall, Panaji experiences moderate air pollution, with particulate matter especially PM10 being the dominant pollutant. Natural factors such as coastal winds, high rainfall, and atmospheric dispersion play role in reducing pollution levels and maintaining relatively better air quality. Therefore, effective measures such as better traffic management, control of road dust, and planned urban development are necessary to further improve air quality. The study highlights the importance of monitoring and managing air pollution in small coastal cities to ensure a healthy urban environment.