Chandigarh reports 'moderate' air quality on Diwali, an improvement over last year
Chandigarh Air Quality: In an order to check the air pollution and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chandigarh Administration banned the sale and bursting of fire crackers in UT.
The massive awareness campaign was launched through Newspapers, Radio Channels, and street plays, etc. to create awareness amongst the general public regarding the ill effects of the bursting of fire crackers and the ban imposed on fire crackers by the Chandigarh Administration.
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It is heartening to observe that the citizens of Chandigarh not only welcomed the move but also participated wholeheartedly in the fight against the prevailing pandemic situation and refrained from the bursting crackers thereby complying with the decision of the Chandigarh Administration.
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The ambient air quality data collected for the city beautiful is the testimony to the fact that the citizens of Chandigarh stood to the occasion for the cause of Health and Environment as appealed by the Chandigarh Administration.
The results indicate that there is a remarkable reduction in air pollution in comparison to last year despite the fact that last year Diwali was on October 27 (when air pollution is comparatively less than November) while this year Diwali was on November 14.
From the data captured from the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) it is observed that there is a drastic reduction in AQI (Air Quality Index) from 341 (Very Poor) in 2019 to 140 (Moderate) in 2020.
The ambient air quality data recorded on Diwali day in 2020 is almost equivalent to the data captured on normal days before Diwali. However, it has been observed during the past years that the AQI worsens drastically on Diwali day compared to the normal days recorded prior to Diwali. During 2019 the AQI on a normal day was 110 compared to 341 on Diwali day.
Chandigarh administration sincerely thanked the responsible citizens to have complied and respected the decision of the Chandigarh Administration for the ban on the sale and bursting of fire crackers in the UT Chandigarh thereby showing their solidarity to fight Covid-19 Pandemic and concern to Air Pollution.
-PTC News
