Campaigns against bursting crackers check AQI under control in Chandigarh Levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Oxides of Ntrogen (NUx) in the air of Chandigarh were found within permissible limits while noise pollution level was higher compared to the previous year. PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels have increased at all the three location as compared to last year. It was stated in a report prepared by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Sectors 22, 17 and 12 has been recorded 311; 177 and 297 respectively compared to 240; 137 and 247 previous year on Diwali . “It shows a positive trend in AQI compared to last year,” states the report.
The report further states that however an important factor to should be taken into consideration last year Diwali was celebrated on October 19 when the temperature was 23.5 degree Celsius compared to 16.6 degree Celsius on Diwali November 7 this year. Hence, temperature was an important factor for increase in AQI of Chandigarh.
A comparative data of AQI at Sector 17 and Sector 12 was taken on November 7, 2018 showed a sharp decline in AQI compared to same day last year while AQI was 177 and 297 at Sector 17 and Sector 12 on November 7, 2018, the AQI was 362 and 306 during the previous year on the same day..
It is, thus, to say that AQI of 7th November, 2017 (Normal day) was much higher than the AQI of 7th November, 2018 (Diwali day). Thus massive awareness campaign coupled with order from Supreme Court has succeeded to aware the public about harmful effects of crackers and helped to check on the pollution load of environment. –
The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee monitored Ambient Air Quality and Noise Levels at 3 different locations {i.e. Sector 22 (Residential Zone), Punjab Engineering College, Sector 12 (Silence Zone) and Sector 17 (Commercial Zone)} in Chandigarh on 01.11.2018 (Thursday) a week before Diwali and on 07.11.2018 (Wednesday) on Diwali Day as per the guidelines of Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi.
While talking to Bikram Rana, SLO, NSS Cell, Chandigarh Administration said that Cell concerted efforts much before Diwali to spread awareness among school and college students contributed a lot to check air pollution.
Campaigns against bursting crackers check AQI under control in Chandigarh
“Majority of the young of Chandigarh keep themselves away from bursting crackers,” said Mr Rana. EOM
