AQI remains poor in city

The harvesting season has come to an end. But there seems to be no respite as far as air quality index (AQI) is concerned.

The air remained “poor” even in the past one week, forcing the elderly and small children to remain indoors. One of the major reasons for no improvement in the air quality has been the absence of rain in the past more than two months.

Amritpal Singh Chahal, XEN, PPCB, when asked about the reason for “poor” quality air, said there were no rain in the region for the past about three months. “Rain plays an important role in settling dust particles, smog in the air but this time, the spell of bad air was prolonged due to the absence of rain. Even one day of rain will bring much difference,” he said.

The air quality index in Ludhiana as per the data available with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that in the entire last week, the quality of air was “poor”. On November 29, it was 256 while on November 28, 27, 26 and 25, it was 258, 227, 182 and 139, respectively.

While on November 30 last year, AQI was 176, followed by 185, 246, 241, 250 and 202 on November 29, 28, 27, 26 and 25, respectively. The AQI last year was also poor and year on, these dates also remain poor despite the strictness adopted by law enforcing agencies to register a huge number of FIRs against those responsible for farm fires in the region.

Satwinder Singh, a, octogenarian, said thankfully they were able to get the sunlight, which provides much needed respite. “Otherwise, things would have been miserable if we remain inside the four walls all the time,” he said.