Cummins and CII Launch Advanced Decision Support System for Cleaner Air in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad
Pune, July 6, 2026: Cummins in India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have expanded their collaborative environmental efforts with the official launch of an advanced Decision Support System (DSS) designed for air quality management in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Developed in partnership with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and Airvoice, the digital platform aims to equip city authorities with predictive, data-driven insights. The system is engineered to provide up to 72-hour air quality forecasts, allowing officials to identify localized pollution hotspots, investigate emerging air quality anomalies, and execute timely interventions to mitigate pollution episodes, Cummins India said in a press release.
The tool marks a fresh milestone for the Cleaner Air Better Life (CABL) initiative, a national multi-stakeholder platform originally conceptualized by Cummins in India, CII, and NITI Aayog. Operating through four dedicated task forces focusing on clean transport, clean fuel, clean industry, and biomass management, the initiative unites government bodies, private industry, academia, and civil society. While previously centered heavily on policy dialogue, the forum has transitioned toward field-level execution, notably working across rural India to alter agricultural practices, prevent crop residue burning, and curb carbon emissions.
Organizers stress that the implementation of the DSS reflects a growing need for tailored, city-specific responses to environmental challenges rather than blanket policies. Shveta Arya, Managing Director, Cummins India Ltd. and Chairperson, CII Cleaner Air Better Life said “Every city has a unique air quality challenge and therefore requires a unique solution. By expanding this collaborative model from Delhi to cities like Pune, we are creating a blueprint for cleaner, more resilient urban environments. By convening government, academia, industry, technical institutions and startups, our focus is on enabling data-backed hyperlocal solutions to address city-specific emission sources; from transport to construction and creating measurable impact where it matters most.”
The corporate backing of the initiative is framed around broader community responsibility and the measurable environmental outcomes generated by public-private alliances. Ashish Aggarwal, Executive Director & Chief Administrative Officer, Cummins India, said “At Cummins, we believe our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our operations to the communities we serve. Through the Cleaner Air Better Life initiative we are enabling collaborative, on-ground action that delivers measurable environmental outcomes and contributes to healthier, more resilient communities.”
Spokespersons for the industry body noted that technology serves as the primary catalyst for accelerating these regional public health improvements. Shikhar Jain, Executive Director – CII – CESD, added “The Cleaner Air Better Life initiative demonstrates how collaboration and technology can accelerate environmental progress. By adopting and empowering with predictive, data-driven planning, we are helping cities make smarter decisions that improve air quality and public health.”
The rollout of the digital platform took place at the Clean Air Forum, drawing an assembly of regional administrative leaders and civic stakeholders. Attendees included Pune Municipal Commissioner and Clean Air Forum Co-Convener Naval Kishore Ram, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, alongside various representatives from the PMC, PCMC, local research institutions, and civil society organizations who met to formalize the next steps of the urban air strategy.
