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Diwali Firecrackers Choke Pune: AQI Over 300
10 Nov
Summary
- Several Pune monitoring stations recorded AQI levels above 300 post-Diwali.
- Pimpri-Chinchwad's air quality was worse, with Bhosari reaching an AQI of 330.
- Civic bodies have not announced immediate measures to combat the pollution spike.
Air quality across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad remained in the 'very poor' category on Monday, the day after Lakshmi Pooja, with multiple monitoring stations recording Air Quality Index (AQI) levels exceeding 300. Pune's overall AQI reached 293, a rise from earlier in the day, with Dhankawadi reporting the highest at 316. Pimpri-Chinchwad faced a more severe situation, with Bhosari's AQI hitting 330.
This significant increase in pollution is directly linked to the extensive use of firecrackers during Diwali, which releases particulate matter and other harmful pollutants. These pollutants accumulate, and prevailing weather conditions impede their dispersion, leading to prolonged exposure. An AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as 'very poor', posing health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Despite the concerning air quality, neither the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) nor the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) had announced any immediate actions. An environment officer from PMC mentioned efforts to control dust pollution using water-cannon vehicles, while also stating that other data sources showed 'satisfactory' air quality in localized pockets. This highlights a gap in the immediate response to the post-Diwali pollution surge.
