Dehradun: Post-Diwali, along with rampant construction work and hazardous winter haze, the air quality index (AQI) in Uttarakhand’s capital Dehradun dips to very poor increasing troubles for people suffering lung diseases, asthma and heart ailments. This sparked a concern among residents over increasing pollution in the city known for green cover and clean air.
In this month, the AQI levels have been fluctuating between 70 and 300 with an average level of 180 which indicates a poor level of pollution. According to the central pollution control board, this level of pollution is enough to cause breathing trouble among the people suffering respiratory disorders.
Poor AQI in major Uttarakhand cities on Diwali night
On Diwali night (October 31) this year, the air quality in Uttarakhand’s major cities declined from normal to poor, with Dehradun’s AQI reaching 318, an improvement from last year’s peak of over 350. The following day, the AQI dropped to 276, showing signs of recovery. In Dehradun, the AQI rose from 158.6 on October 30 to 333 on October 31. Rishikesh’s AQI increased from 95 on October 30 to over 154 the next night, and Kashipur’s AQI went from 135 on October 30 to 263 on October 31 night.
Six to seven times more pollution
According to the data of the Pollution Control Board, the air of Doon is getting poisoned by the smoke. The annual average level for PM10 in the air should not be more than 20 micrograms per cubic meter and 50 micrograms per cubic meter for 24 hours. According to the standards of PCB, it should be 60 and 100 micrograms per cubic meter. Whereas in Doon it is six to seven times more.
People express concern about poor AQI in Himalayan state
Amid rampant construction work in capital Dehradun and other parts of the state, the residents express concern over this environmental degradation in this Himalayan state which has been an attraction for the tourists heading to Uttarakhand for a soothing climate and clean air and water. “Dehradun has been witnessing a deterioration in its air quality in the last few years. No wonder it reaches close to AQI existing in Delhi and NCR region very soon. Amid incessant tree felling and concretization, that day is not far away when tourists would stop coming here” remarks a retired bureaucrat residing on Mussoorie road in Dehradun.
Industrial and vehicular pollution remain a concern for UPCB
Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Member Secretary of the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, noted that despite extensive awareness efforts, there was a significant spike in pollution across most state cities on Diwali night. He said, “The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board is taking proactive measures to curb pollution since Diwali. We began monitoring the situation, launched public awareness campaigns, and collaborated with municipal administrations to reduce pollution through water sprinkling. Industrial and vehicular pollution remain a concern for us. We have instructed all the urban and rural bodies to put a check on waste burning. Uttarakhand has a localized pollution which increases on weekends due to heavy tourist inflow. Additionally, other measures to control air pollution are also being implemented.”
