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Ludhiana's Air Quality Drops: Swachh Vayu Ranking Plummets
10 Sep
Summary
- Ludhiana dropped to 33rd in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan from 18th last year.
- Solid waste management issues contribute significantly to air pollution.
- Extensive road repair projects have increased dust and pollution levels.
Ludhiana has seen a significant decline in its air quality, plummeting to 33rd position in the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan from its previous 18th place. This annual assessment, conducted under the National Clean Air Programme, evaluates cities based on measures to combat air pollution, including solid waste management and vehicular emissions.
The city faces a severe solid waste crisis, generating 1,100 metric tonnes daily while its processing plant handles only 300 metric tonnes. This issue is compounded by widespread road repair and construction projects initiated in the period leading up to the election year.
Municipal Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar cited these roadworks as a primary reason for increased dust and traffic congestion, which in turn elevates pollution. A recent boom in real estate projects around the city has also been identified as a contributing factor to the environmental degradation.
Further exacerbating the problem, many city roads were dug up starting in July for pipeline laying for the MC's canal water supply project. The delayed blacktopping of these roads has led to persistent dust and air pollution, with activists highlighting the deteriorated road conditions as a major concern.
