Air quality goes down, city residents fume

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 16

Air quality index (AQI) level in Ludhiana was recorded poor in the wee hours as well as in the evening today. Residents want the government to take measures to ensure clean environment by checking air pollution.

According to information, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) recorded AQI level 215 at PAU at 8 pm. If the AQI is between 201 and 300, the situation is considered to be poor and its possible health impacts include breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure.

The AQI level was recorded 201 at 3 am. The level slightly went down in daytime but it later started rising again. It was recorded 186 at 2 pm, 193 at 4 pm and then 203 at 6 pm.

According to sources, stubble-burning cases were reported at various locations. However, the members of a farmer union said the paddy harvesting had not started yet in many of parts of the district.

Jagmohan Singh of Bharti Kisan Union (Dakaunda) said: “The farmers don’t want to burn stubble but they are forced to as the government is not giving sufficient bonus or funds for managing the paddy residue. The farmers are not able to spend money from their own pockets to manage the stubble due to costly methods.

“If action is taken against farmers for burning stubble, our union will support them. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure funds to the farmers to manage stubble. The successive governments have failed to fulfil its promises made to farmers.” The PPCB claimed to have witnessed fewer stubble-burning cases in the district compared to last year. Senior Environmental Engineer of PPCB Sandeep Behl claimed that 12 stubble-burning cases had been reported till October 15 in Ludhiana against 21 cases reported during this season till October 15, 2018.

“Actually, the hot air comes down as winter progresses, which causes environmental changes. This is coupled with stubble burning, Diwali festival and increase in vehicular traffic, which affect the AQI level of the city,” he added.