Air quality still ‘very poor’ in Kurukshetra

Nitish Sharma
Tribune News Service
Kurukshetra, November 4

Air quality continues to be ‘very poor’ in Kurukshetra with recorded Air Quality Index at 346 on Monday evening.

The AQI, as per the Central Pollution Control Board, was 430 on Monday morning, which is ranked to be severe. Though the situation improved as the day progressed and particulate matter 2.5 was recorded at 352 at 5 pm and 346 at 6 pm, it was still 'very poor'.

Sailesh Kumar, a local resident, said: “The air quality of Kurukshetra is very poor at present and the government and the local administration must take adequate measures to improve the situation, as residents have been experiencing difficulty in breathing along with irritation in eyes and cough.”

As per the information, as many as 64 FIRs (25 in Thanesar, two in Pipli, one in Ladwa, five in Shahabad, 10 in Ismabilabad and 21 in Pehowa block) have been registered in Kurukshetra for burning paddy stubble, while the process was on to register 29 more FIRs.

Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner SS Phulia said efforts were being made to control the situation. The officials have been directed to conduct surveys of brick kilns and other factories in the district to keep a check on pollution and take appropriate action if they were found violating guidelines. The officials of the Agriculture Department have been directed to run a campaign and motivate farmers not to burn paddy straw.

“We have appealed to people to not burn any kind of waste, as it will further increase pollution. The traffic officials will also ensure that there is no traffic jam, as it also increases vehicle emissions. The directions will be implemented during the upcoming International Gita Jayanti Mahotsava as well. We are hopeful that the situation will be under control within the next few days,” he said.