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Agra Air Quality Plummets Amid Stubble Burning Crisis
29 Oct
Summary
- Air quality in Agra division has significantly worsened over the past week.
- Mathura reported the highest stubble burning incidents in Uttar Pradesh this month.
- Dust pollution concerns are rising due to ongoing road excavation work.
Air quality across the Agra division has deteriorated significantly over the last week. Fatehpur Sikri recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of approximately 250 on Wednesday, marking the worst air quality among seven monitoring stations in Agra and the nearby heritage town. This pollution surge is exacerbated by agricultural practices, with Mathura reporting the highest number of stubble-burning incidents in Uttar Pradesh this month, totaling 59.
Concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in Fatehpur Sikri have exceeded safe limits, reaching over 250 and 200 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively. These high pollution levels are causing respiratory issues and eye irritation for both local residents and tourists. While the AQI near the Taj Mahal was moderate at 115, other monitoring stations in Agra showed varying levels of poor air quality.
In addition to stubble burning, 12 kilometers of road excavation work across five locations in Agra under the CM Grid scheme is contributing to dust pollution. Environmental officials are implementing measures such as water spraying and monitoring illegal burning of garbage and wood. Efforts are also being made to curb stubble burning, with fines issued to farmers in Mathura, urging them to adopt scientific disposal methods.
Environmental experts advocate for dense green belts along the Rajasthan border to mitigate dust-laden winds from western India. They emphasize the need for extensive plantations to combat desertification and improve air quality. Uttar Pradesh recorded 292 stubble-burning incidents in October, with Mathura leading the count.
