Ahmedabad: The air quality of Ahmedabad on Tuesday was better only to that of Delhi. The AQI of Ahmedabad was worse than cities like Mumbai and Pune.
The city had shown a remarkable improvement in air quality during the lockdown and even in September this year.
The pollution level is increasing since the onset of monsoon. The officials said that the areas which have heavy movement of vehicles are witnessing an increase in AQI level. The AQI at Raikhad was 306 in the evening and even at 10pm. “As this area has roads connecting ST Depot, Jamalpur and Lal Darwaza, it always witnesses heavy traffic movement,” said a traffic police officer.
“One of the reasons for high AQI is increased operation of rickshaw, shuttle-rickshaw and AMTS buses,” said an official. “Services of state transport buses have also begun,” he added.
The officials said that Pirana remains the most polluted area in the city because of its garbage dump and constant burning of waste.
The AQI of Pirana on Monday and Tuesday was hovering around 350.
Dr Tushar Patel, a city-based pulmonologist, said that the high AQI in city areas ahead of festivities is alarming.
“Usually, we report spike in respiratory issues during Diwali period due to bursting of firecrackers. This year, the period is marked by double season – hot during the day and cold during the night, prompting viral growth. As the particles hang in the air, it poses great danger for the senior citizen,” he said, adding that it’s advisable for the Covid-19 recovered patients not to venture out when the air quality is poor.
A senior officer said that with the level of pollution increasing people who go out for walk or exercise daily should either stay indoors or should do so before 7am when the traffic on the road in minimal to avoid exposure to high pollution level.
The Safar app predicts that the AQI of Ahmedabad will be poor and will be above 200 even on Wednesday and the condition will be similar that of Tuesday.