Two days post-Diwali, air conditions in all Punjab cities remain a cause of concern, the Air Quality Index (AQI) still reading way over 200, which signifies "poor" air quality. The majority of this on-going pollution is facilitated due to the widespread use of firecrackers during the festival and ongoing agricultural use, such as the burning of stubble.
In Amritsar, the AQI stands at 253, which falls under the "poor" category. The city registered an all-time high during pollution levels on Diwali night with some parts of the city registering up to 369 AQI levels. It improved the next day but the air still remains less than good.
The condition in Jalandhar also is serious, with the AQI being 264, which belongs to the "poor" category. The average AQI on Diwali day was 249 with zones recording a reading of as much as 500. The chronic pollution has also caused more respiratory disease among people, especially children.
AQI in Ludhiana is 331, which is "very poor" air quality. The air quality declined sharply post-Diwali with AQI rising from 124 prior to the festival to 331 after the festival. The cause of pollution is firecracker burning and other festivities.
In Patiala, the AQI is 207 and is in the "poor" category. The air quality of the city dropped drastically in the aftermath of Diwali celebrations, with the air pollution continuing even for two days after the festival.
Chandigarh, shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, also recorded an AQI of 224 in the "poor" category. Chandigarh experienced a spike in pollution level overnight for a single day on Diwali night with some areas recording AQI levels in the category less than "very poor". Air improved the next day with four out of five stations registering AQI levels less than 300.
These AQI readings of records across Punjab reflect the constant problem of managing air pollution during the festival season. Though the situation is a bit improved compared to last year, the air remains a problem and constant efforts must be made to have reduced pollution and healthier practices during the festival.
