Ludhiana: The city witnessed the poorest air of the year a day after Diwali. The air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 345 on Sunday.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) media bulletin, the AQI in Ludhiana on Saturday 4pm was 300, which was poor with possible health impacts as “breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure”. However, the hourly data from 4pm till Sunday noon indicated pollution levels were the highest on Sunday morning.
The AQI level in the city increased to 307 by Saturday 5pm, which comes under very poor category with possible health impacts as “respiratory illness on prolonged exposure”. The AQI between 8pm and 10pm, in which the authorities had allowed green crackers, increased from 321 to 332.
The figure reached 346 by 12am on Sunday and by 1am was recorded at 353. It further increased to 378 by 7am and dropped to 364 by noon and reached 345 at 4pm.
Last year, the AQI on Diwali day (on October 27) was comparatively lower in Ludhiana at 239 at 4pm; a day after the festival it was recorded at 353, which is more as compared with the day-after-Diwali figure of this year.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) officials said most of the norms went up in smoke on Diwali. Officials said people didn’t pay heed to repeated requests and burnt crackers even after the deadline. They added that the AQI may stay high unless winds blow away the pollution particles or rain settles them.
Green activists said the authorities failed to enforce the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines. “People continued to burst crackers throughout the night and there was no such thing as green crackers. The authorities failed in enforcing the time limit and many vulnerable people, especially elderly and children with respiratory issues, bore the brunt of their inaction,” said activist Keemti Rawal. He added that now police, like every year, would file cases against unknown persons to show that they have acted and then after a few months impose fine and close the files.
Agriculture economist Sardara Singh Johal wrote a message in Punjabi on his Facebook wall. Loosely translated, it said: “What’s a government? Who are the courts? Don’t they know we are completely stubborn, irresponsible and undisciplined residents? Who can stop us? Stop us if you can! We had fireworks all night and are still doing it! What is this environment?”