Despite rains, Amritsar struggles with unhealthy air quality levels

It’s that time of the year and ‘Sifti Da Ghar” turns into a gas chamber during the Diwali season, going by the air quality data for previous three years. Days ahead of this year’s Diwali festivities, the average AQI recorded for Amritsar today was 150, Unhealthy level with real-time air pollution PM2.5 (89µg/m³), PM10 (119µg/m³). With the air quality index (AQI) breaching 369 mark last year a day after Diwali, making us the most polluted city in Punjab, will this year be any different?

Related news: Amritsar’s air quality at Diwali last year was worse than Delhi: CJI

We spoke to Dr Manpreet Bhatti, who specialises in environmental engineering, water and wastewater treatment, ambient air quality and is a part of Guru Nanak Dev University’s project on monitoring ambient air quality in the city. Dr Bhatti has been consistently working to monitor air quality in Amritsar, factors affecting it and its consequences.

“We often have only been focused on paddy straw burning as a cause for air pollution during this season. But this year, the factors might be different. Due to increased rainfall and the latest rains that city witnessed on October 7, the paddy straw in most fields is wet and you cannot burn wet paddy. This highlights how the air quality deterioration being caused currently might not be due to stubble burning but due to isolated and unchecked burning of garbage. This is a grievous issue that goes unchecked largely as we conveniently look the other way,” said Dr Bhatti.

He is not wrong. Open and unchecked burning of garbage continues in isolated pockets at Gumtala Road, GT Road near Putlighar and even in posh colonies of Ranjit Avenue. Last year, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that throughout October, the AQI in city recorded between 200 and 300, falling into the “very poor” category. The problem is worsened by temperature inversion during winter months, which traps pollutants near the ground, and a general lack of waste management and environmental responsibility.

Uncontrolled burning of solid waste (household trash, plastic bags, dry leaves, grass, mixed refuse) in open spaces: vacant plots, roadsides, dump yards, public bins etc., not using any waste-incineration facility. This releases smoke, particulate matter, toxic gases (especially from plastic), etc.

Despite Municipal Corporation setting up “Rapid Response Teams” in Amritsar to clear garbage from main roads and public places more quickly, the issue at hand is far from being resolved.

Even with the recent rain washout, the air quality degradation is detrimental that traffic pollution, caused due to dysfunctional traffic lights at choke points and open burning of garbage are not being addressed as they should be. According to official records, approximately 9000 registered diesel auto rickshaws ply on city roads, but various studies by environment experts put the unregistered autos count to around 25,000. While there is no proving the unofficial numbers, there is no denying the fact that increasing vehicular pollution in city is a major contributor to air pollution, especially in winters.

“With the high amount of rainfall, ideally and practically the air quality in city should be averaging between 50 and 80. During night, the AQI decreases, but that the time when garbage burning happens at most isolated places. So, in morning, the AQI again is recorded higher. It’s a vicious cycle,” said Dr Bhatti.