The average AQI was 207 (marginally higher than maximum AQI value of 200 for the moderate category), compared to 224 in 2022 and 268 in 2021.
Published Nov 13, 2023 | 8:03 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 13, 2023 | 8:03 PM
Least polluted Diwali in the last three years: Punjab Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer
While the entire North India is worried over post-Diwali pollution owing to firecrackers, the Punjab government claimed it was the least polluted Diwali for the state in the last three years. The government said that air quality was way better this year during Diwali as compared to 2022 and 2021.
The state observed an average air quality index (AQI) reduction of 7.6 percent compared to 2022 and 22.8 percent compared to 2021 on Diwali day and data was calculated from 6 am on the day of Diwali — Sunday, 12 November — to 6 am the day after Diwali.
The average AQI of Punjab this Diwali was 207 (marginally higher than the maximum AQI value of 200 for the moderate category), compared to 224 in 2022 and 268 in 2021.
State Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer issued a statement saying, “We and the pollution board thank the people of the state for following the advisory issued concerning the period fixed for bursting of firecrackers and using the green crackers for celebrations of the Diwali festival, resulting in an overall improvement in air quality as compared to previous years.”
“The AQI of five cities Amritsar, Ludhiana, Khanna, Mandi Gobindgarh and Patiala has reduced this year”, said Hayer.
According to government data the highest AQI was recorded at Amritsar this year 235. The highest value last year was 262 and was observed in Amritsar. In 2021, the highest value of 327 (very poor) was observed in Jalandhar. The lowest AQI for this year was recorded in Mandi Gobindgarh at 153, down from last year’s value of 188 and 220 in 2021.
It also recorded the highest AQI reduction this year, in Mandi Gobindgarh (18.6 percent).
Hayer said the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had installed continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) in six cities of Punjab Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Khanna, Mandi Gobindgarh and Patiala to monitor the ambient air quality on a real-time basis.
Though AQI has reportedly improved in Punjab, the state is covered in thick fog. Meanwhile, this fog led to a pile-up of over a dozen vehicles near Ludhiana on Monday which left several injured.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed deep shock and anguish over this tragic road accident near Samrala in Ludhiana district.
Mann said that he had already directed district administration to provide free treatment to all the injured. He said that he was constantly in touch with the administration and was regularly monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, in the wake of foggy days ahead, the chief minister exhorted the people to drive their vehicles cautiously so as to avoid any sort of loss of life and property.
