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Chandigarh Sees Cleaner Diwali Air Despite Firecrackers
10 Nov
Summary
- Air quality remained satisfactory before and after Diwali firecracker bursting.
- Highest AQI during bursting window reached 326 at Sector 25.
- Noise levels rose but declined post-firecracker bursting period.
Chandigarh's air quality saw an improvement this Diwali compared to previous years, according to the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC). Before the permitted firecracker bursting window from 8 pm to 10 pm on November 8, air quality was in the 'Satisfactory' category across most monitoring locations.
During the two-hour window, the Air Quality Index (AQI) rose at all six monitoring sites, with the highest reading of 326 recorded at Sector 25. Several locations briefly entered the 'Very Poor' category. However, pollution levels decreased significantly by 3 am on November 9, returning to the 'Satisfactory' range. Importantly, no monitoring station recorded 'Severe' air quality.
Compared to last year, several sectors, including Sector 17 and Sector 22, showed better air quality on Diwali. The CPCC attributes this improvement to increased environmental awareness and greater adherence to the prescribed bursting times for green firecrackers. Noise levels, though a concern with a peak of 83.9 decibels at IMTECH-39, also saw a decline after the permitted period.
