PPCB shows average AQI at 279, pvt agency records 587 at midnight

The two-day Diwali celebrations with “green crackers” failed to bring desired results as the average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) in the past 24 hours stood at 279. In contrast, a private real-time AQI monitoring agency reported that around midnight on Tuesday, the city’s AQI had shot up to an alarming 587.

Despite the authorities allowing firecracker bursting for only two hours — from 8 pm to 10 pm — residents continued till midnight on both October 20 and 21, as the festival was celebrated over two days. Extended cracker-bursting sessions led to a sharp spike in pollution levels, further deteriorating the city’s air quality.

Road safety expert Kamaljit Soi expressed concern over the situation.

“Around midnight, when cracker bursting was at its peak, the AQI touched 587 — a highly alarming level. Such conditions reduce visibility and increase the risk of road accidents. Though we talk about celebrating a green Diwali, everything eventually goes up in smoke,” he said.

The government had issued strict guidelines to use only “green crackers”, those free from harmful compounds such as barium salts, antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead or strontium chromate. However, the rising pollution levels indicate that even the so-called green crackers failed to control the situation.

“We witnessed excellent business this Diwali, with cracker sales worth over Rs 35 crore in the past five–six days,” said Pradeep Gupta, president of the Ludhiana Cracker Dealers Association.

While crackers were burst till late in the night, the police did not register any FIRs against violators, citing that most of them were children and adolescents enjoying the festivities.

Commenting on the fluctuating air quality levels, Gurpreet Singh, an expert with the PPCB, said: “Air quality readings vary every hour. We calculated the average based on data from 6 am on Tuesday to 6 am on Wednesday. The levels may have peaked during the night due to crackers but the final report reflects the 24-hour average.”

Meanwhile, Srishti, a college student, said her grandmother faced breathing difficulties due to the pollution. “We had to make her sit in a room with an air purifier,” she said.

Even stray dogs and cattle were seen restless due to the increased noise and smoke levels following the bursting of firecrackers.