Image Credit: X account @CpccChd
Chandigarh’s AQI Worsens to 343, Second Worst in India
Chandigarh’s air quality has plunged drastically, with the city recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 343, placing it as the second most polluted city in India on Tuesday, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Out of 261 cities evaluated, only Hajipur in Bihar surpassed Chandigarh’s pollution levels, recording an AQI of 427. Chandigarh’s pollution even exceeded Delhi’s, which averaged an AQI of 334 across its monitoring stations.
AQI Reaches “Very Poor” Category
At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, AQI readings across Chandigarh’s key monitoring stations indicated severe pollution: Sector 22 reported an AQI of 355, Sector 25 was at 326, and Sector 53 recorded the highest at 360, all categorized as “very poor.” PM 2.5 particles, which pose serious health risks, were the primary pollutants.
Key Contributors to Pollution: Stubble Burning and Festive Activities
A meeting held by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) identified stubble burning, particularly from nearby Mohali, as a significant contributor to the city’s rising pollution levels. Other factors exacerbating the issue included temperature inversion due to cooler winter temperatures, increased vehicle traffic during festive periods, and firecracker use. However, Mohali has seen a significant reduction in farm fires, with incidents down by over 70% compared to last year.
Experts Urge Residents to Minimize Traffic and Avoid Crackers
Professor Suman Mor, from Panjab University’s Department of Environment Sciences, emphasized that farm fires in Punjab have exacerbated the pollution levels, particularly after Diwali. “There was a spike in the number of farm fires seen in the days after Diwali, and we are experiencing its effects,” Mor noted. She urged residents to minimize vehicle use in the coming days, especially during Gurpurb, and discouraged firecracker usage to prevent further deterioration of air quality.
