Ludhiana: The ongoing festival and paddy harvesting season has had an adverse effect on air quality. Data of the last four months suggests that AQI on Wednesday was the worst recorded in this time period. According to data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for about five months, AQI in Ludhiana on Oct 23 was 207, which falls under the poor air quality bracket.It has possible health impacts like breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure.
Data since June shows that the last time AQI in the city exceeded 207 was on June 20, when it was recorded at 211. Data of Ludhiana in Oct shows that AQI in the city was highest on Oct 23. On Oct 19, it was 183. AQI data for the last 10 days shows that air quality in Ludhiana was below 100 (which is considered satisfactory) only once.

Sources in Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) attributed the poor AQI to increased vehicular traffic in the festival season, bursting of crackers (despite it being relatively less at this point) and onset of the cold, which hinders dispersal of pollutants in the air. However, sources added that the incidents of stubble burning had fallen sharply. A PPCB official said that reduction in cracker bursting was the result of awareness campaigns organised in educational institutions. He added that increased construction activity also contributed to pollution levels in previous years as many infrastructure projects were coming up in Ludhiana.
Experts have advised people to take precautions during the the festival season. Punjab IMA president Dr Sunil Katyal asked people to celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly manner and urged farmers to refrain from burning paddy stubble.