‘Air quality index in Ludhiana is beyond safety limits’

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 13

The air quality index (AQI) in Ludhiana even on daily basis is much beyond than the permissible safe limits. The AQI from 1 to 50 is good, and from 50 to 100 is moderate. On day to day basis, the AQI in Ludhiana is whopping 287, which beyond the safety limits.

But, on the Diwali night it rises to 405, which is several times higher that the recommended safety limit of the quality. It points towards air becoming dangerous for inhaling.

Maneet Dewan, from I am, an NGO, explained pollution during a meeting of school heads with the PPCB chairman, Kahan Singh Pannu. Several NGOs and district administration attended the meeting held at Bachat Bhawan to discuss Green Diwali celebrations. 

He said the damage caused due to pollution on Diwali was not just for one night, but had a long-term negative impact.  “Crackers not only emit poisonous gases, but also cause severe health problems, as these contain harmful chemicals.  When crackers are burnt chemicals goes to the garbage. These are then absorbed into soil, groundwater and finally enter food chain and get consumed recurrently,” he added.

 “As much as 1,000 metric tonnes of garbage is generated from firecrackers alone. Last year, 812 burn cases were reported on Diwali, which include 40 serious burn injuries, causing permanent handicap to victims,” he said. 

 The noise pollution exceeded the permissible limits on Diwali, which could lead to hearing loss and permanent deafness, he added. 

 “According to an estimate, crackers worth Rs 30 lakh are burnt within three hours, causing severe pollution. Ninety per cent of workers in firecracker industry are child labourers. So, we are not actually celebrating the festival. We are destroying our future,” said Dewan. 

Pannu said, “The AQI in Ludhiana is 287. It is not far behind Delhi, which has the AQI of 315. It points towards severe air pollution in the city.” He said, “The problem of pollution is more pronounced in North India, as compared to the South, which has sea on three sides.” 

“We are trying make ourselves extinct by not paying attention to the pollution,” he added. 

‘Motivate students to go cracker-free

Pannu asked heads and representatives of different schools to motivate students to opt for cracker-free Green Diwali. He suggested that schools must organise activities and debates to motivate children to go green. He said children should be given this message in the morning assemblies and class teachers could then spread it. 

 “Students can be asked to take an oath. They can be shown how Diwali can be celebrated better without crackers. NGOs can also be roped in by schools to hold sessions with students and highlight how to celebrate the festival of lights. Group activities can also be organised for this purpose,” he added. 

Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agarwal also directed officials of the district administration, including SDMs, to keep a close watch on firecrackers, so that these were sold only in the designated areas. 

Col Jasjit Singh Gill, from Let’s Clean Ludhiana Trust, said,  “Pollution is not caused only by burning crackers. It is also caused by garbage set on fire by the Municipal Corporation. Garbage generated during Diwali contains burnt crackers, boxes and wrappers. The MC should rather give such garbage to any company that makes recycled papers and cardboards. This waste can even be auctioned from next year onwards.” 

There should be a total ban on sale of firecrackers

Ravneet Singh from EcoSikh said, “The government must completely ban sale of firecrackers in the state.” Later, he also presented leaflets of the campaign that the organisation has been spearheading to motivate people to celebrate Green Diwali.