Smog: Expect relief from November13

Chandigarh, November 10

Pollution woes continue unabated in the city.

The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) today released the figures of pollution in the city on November 9. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 303 in Sector 39, which falls under the category ‘very poor’, and 227 at Kaimbwala village and 253 in Sector 17, which fall under the category ‘poor’.

There are six categories under which the quality of air is categorised. These are good, satisfactory, moderately polluted, poor, very poor, and severe.

The AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as ‘very poor’ and causes respiratory illness to people on prolonged exposure. The figure between 201 and 300 falls under ‘poor’ category, which causes breathing discomfort to people upon prolonged exposure.

The CPCC has attributed the pollution to stubble burning in the neighbouring Punjab.

At Sector 39, the PM 10 (RSPM) was 211 microgram per cubic metre (µg/m3), which was more than the double of permissible limit of 100 (µg/m3). The PM 2.5 was 124 (µg/m3) whereas the permissible value is 60. At Kaimbwala, the PM 10 was 158 (µg/m3) while the PM 2.5 was 98 (µg/m3). At Sector 17, the PM 10 was 164 (µg/m3) and PM 2.5 106.

“A fresh disturbance is approaching. It is likely to affect western Himalayan region from November 12 night and adjoining plains of northwest India from November 13. After that weather will get clear,” said the weather department in a press statement. It added that mist and haze would continue in the morning and evening till November 12. — TNS

Normalcy returns to airport

After three consecutive days of disruption of air traffic, normalcy returned at the Chandigarh international airport with one flight being delayed. The Jet Airways Mumbai-Chandigarh-Mumbai flight was delayed by half an hour. Airport public relations officer Deepesh Joshi said one flight, 9W 471/642, scheduled to depart from Chandigarh at 3.50 pm, was delayed by 30 minutes. In the past three days, the flight operations had been hit with many flights getting cancelled or rescheduled due to poor visibility and runway repair at the Delhi airport.

20 trains run behind schedule

Due to fog and smog, over 20 trains ran behind schedule on Friday. Unchahar Express was delayed by seven hours while Bandra Express arrived five hours late. Sadbhawana Express train ran three hours behind schedule and Lucknow Express four hours. Shatabdi Express arrived late by two hours from Delhi. Nearly 20 other trains reached the city late.