Amritsar's air quality continues to remain in poor category

The city’s air quality index (AIQ) continues to remain in the poor category. Though it has improved a lot after remaining in the severe category which was recorded over two weeks ago after Diwali, it continues to be in the poor category. It shows a relatively high level of pollutants present in the air.

Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) data states that the AQI was about 250 on Wednesday. Environmentalists felt that it was a cause of concern for citizens that the AQI of the city has been recorded in the poor category. The city’s AQI was found hovering between 360 and 400 on the night of November 3. They expressed their displeasure that people did not pay heed to the advisory of the PPCB to avoid the bursting of crackers on Diwali and stubble burning. Rising automobile pollution is another major concern which dominates all around the year.

These days, humidity levels remains above 75 per cent at night as a result of which temperature falls at night and the capacity to hold humidity also decreases. It results in saturation of air. Hence, smog causes haze which reduces visibility in the morning and at night.

Vinod Kumar, Environmental Engineer of the PPCB, said the recent mild rain in the district three to four days ago brought down the levels of pollution by around 30 per cent. He expected the pollution to wane with another spell of rain.