Air quality improves slightly in Punjab but still poor for Diwali, data shows

Aman Sood
Tribune News Service
Patiala, November 5

Punjab saw an overall 18 per cent less pollution though the state’s air quality continued to be suffocating for second year in a row on Diwali.

Punjab saw the average AQI reduction of 18.3 per cent from the last year.

The cities of Punjab have observed reduction in the AQI during this year’s Diwali as compared to last year.

Also read: Post Diwali, Punjab health dept advises people to stay indoors

The average AQI of Punjab this year on Diwali was 268 (Poor) as compared to 328 (Very Poor) in 2020.

“The maximum AQI was recorded at Jalandhar this year with AQI category Very Poor. However, the last year maximum value of AQI was observed in Amritsar,” said PPCB officials.

“The minimum AQI for this year was recorded in Mandi Gobindgarh with AQI of 220 (Poor) against the last year value of 262,” he added.

Last year AQI of the four cities (Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala) remained in Very Poor Category. However, this year AQI of only two cities (Amritsar and Jalandhar) remained in Very Poor Category.

The maximum AQI reduction was observed in Patiala (27.8%) and minimum was observed in Jalandhar (0.3%).

“The Punjab Pollution Control Board thanked the people of the state for following the advisory issued with respect to time for bursting of fire crackers and using the green crackers for celebrations of Diwali festival, resulting in overall improvement in Air Quality,” said Member Secretary PPCB, Karunesh Garg.