Chandigarh's AQI In 'Very Poor' Category: Is It Worse Than Delhi's Air?

Chandigarh: Chandigarh is facing severe air pollution, with its air quality index (AQI) deteriorating to alarming levels over the past few days. According to the latest data, the AQI in major areas of the city is in the 'very poor' category, as per CPCB data. On Sunday, the AQI reached 339, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, even worse than Delhi’s AQI, which stood at 334. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin, Chandigarh’s AQI has remained in the ‘very poor’ category for four consecutive days.

On Sunday morning, at 10 am, the AQI at the Sector 22 and Sector 53 monitoring stations were 353 and 349 micrograms per cubic metre, respectively. By 7 pm, the AQI was recorded at 347 in Sector 22, 323 in Sector 25, and 345 in Sector 53. A reading between 301 and 400 is considered ‘very poor,’ while levels between 201-300 are categorised as ‘poor,’ and readings above 400 are deemed ‘severe.’ Even at 9 pm, the AQI remained in the ‘very poor’ category at these monitoring stations.Officials from the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee attribute the deteriorating air quality to stubble burning in neighbouring states. Dr. Ravinder Khaiwal, a professor at the Department of Community Medicine and Public Health at PGIMER, Chandigarh, explained that high AQI levels can lead to breathing and respiratory issues due to prolonged exposure. "Afternoon winds from Punjab and Haryana passed through Chandigarh, carrying pollution from nearby areas, contributing to the spike in AQI," he said, as quoted by The Indian Express.Dr. Khaiwal emphasised the importance of taking precautions to minimise health risks. He advised that elderly individuals, children, and those with respiratory conditions avoid outdoor activities, especially during peak pollution hours. He also recommended the use of N95 masks to filter out harmful particles and urged local authorities to implement emergency pollution control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as per the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to tackle pollution at its source.