Chandigarh: Poison in the air

Toxic smog choked city residents, as air quality remained in ‘severe’ category during the day today. The air quality in the city was recorded as worst in the country around noon. The highest ever 425 average Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city was registered around 11 am, followed by Delhi where it stood at 423. The Air Quality Monitoring Station Sector 22, in the heart of the city, registered AQI of 460 around 11 am. Similarly, at Sector 53 air monitoring station, bordering Mohali district, the AQI was 452. At the Sector 25 station, the AQI was registered at 363.

This is the first time that Chandigarh has witnessed such a long spell of bad air quality. In the past, air pollution has never remained at such a high level for more than a day or two. While the AQI remained between 300 and 400 in the past six days, it entered the ‘severe’ category on Wednesday night.

As the day progressed, the air quality improved in the city. According to the data of the Central Pollution Control Board, around 4 pm the AQI in Chandigarh was 412. Around 6 pm, it improved to ‘very poor’ category as the average AQI was registered at 400. The situation improved further and AQI dropped to 396 around 7 pm.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Manish Tewari urged UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to consider shutting down schools, especially for small children, till the air quality improves.

Ajay Jagga, former member of District Consumer Protection Council, UT, urged Kataria for urgent revival and implementation of the 2022 EV Policy to combat severe pollution in Chandigarh. “It is alarming to note that Chandigarh recently recorded the worst air quality in the country, with an AQI reaching an alarming level of 425, which is classified as ‘severe’. This hazardous level of pollution poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory issues,” he said.

The situation has deteriorated to the point where visibility has been compromised due to smog, disrupting routine life.

Reports indicate that vehicular emissions and industrial pollution are major contributors to the deteriorating air quality.

In light of this, Jagga called for immediate reinstatement and strict implementation of Chandigarh’s 2022 Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy. The policy, which was initially enforced after substantial discussions and considerable effort, was abruptly put on hold, suspending the registration cap on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

DEVOTEES URGED TO SHUN FIREWORKS

In view of the worsening air quality in the city, the Sector 34 gurdwara management committee head Tejwant Singh Gill has appealed to devotees not to burst firecrackers on the Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev. The committee also shared the appeal on social media and urged the devotees to spread the word.