Pollution drops during Diwali, but still ‘very poor’

Diwali seemed to be comparatively less-polluted this year for Puneites. Compared to last year's pollution levels, the Air Quality Index figures by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India) have shown a dip in PM2.5 and PM10 particles. However, the air quality was still in the 'Very Poor' category on Diwali day (between 10 pm, on Oct 19 and 3 am, on Oct 20).

Gufran Beig, project director - SAFAR, said, "It is the rising awareness among citizens that has led to lesser pollution this year. They alarming pollution levels in New Delhi have triggered a much better approach from Puneites. Most of the Diwali days saw less pollution than last year."

According to figures, the particle levels on the day of Laxmi Pujan were the highest this time, while other days saw lesser amount of pollution. "Citizens haven't done away with bursting crackers during Laxmi Pujan, as it is considered an important day of Diwali. However the awareness amongst citizens is yielding results gradually," said Rajiv Pandit, an environmentalist. He added that in Mumbai too, the sale of firecrackers had gone down considerably this time.

On days before Laxmi Pujan (Oct 19), the city witnessed comparatively less air pollution than last year. The PM2.5 level went down from approximately 70g/m3 on the pre-Laxmi Pujan day last year, to 50g/m3 this year. On the first day of Diwali this year, the PM2.5 particle level was approximately 30g/m3, which is almost half of the level on the occasion last year.

Last year, the PM 2.5 level after Laxmi Pujan was above 160g/m3 while it was slightly lesser this year, on the same occasion, at 138g/m3. But the category-wise classification still remained
'Very Poor'.