Marking a considerable improvement over the corresponding period last year, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the state capital hovered in the 150-180 range, even as the burning of crop residues continued to scald the air in neighbouring rural areas on Sunday.
The cumulative AQI in the city, based on real-time data from three automated monitoring stations, was recorded at 175 at 8 PM on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the AQI soared to dangerous levels in neighbouring Bhojpur, with the index placing itself close to 300.
The highest AQI was recorded at Paryavaran Parisar in the city, where the index reading stood at 199. Idgah recorded the cleanest air in the city with 155, while the commercial hub of TT Nagar stood at 172, mainly due to the high weekend traffic in the area.
PM2.5 and PM10—primary pollutants in the city—remained below average, leading to speculation over the effects of crop burning from rural areas on the city AQI.
The health advisory on the Sameer App of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) warned of breathing difficulties for those with underlying lung issues.
Pollution control officials have repeatedly identified dust particles suspended in the atmosphere by vehicular traffic as the biggest detriment to air quality. The particles fall into the PM2.5 and PM10 categories.
PM2.5 consists of microscopic deadly pollutants, 40 times smaller than the breadth of human hair, with the ability to enter the human body and damage lungs.
Though four times bigger, the larger particles in PM10 are no less dangerous.Amid preparations for the onset of winter—a high pollution season due to its dense air—Divisional Commissioner Sanjay Singh convened various arms of the civic administration and sought concerted efforts to maintain air quality this year.
He instructed officers from the traffic police and the state pollution control board to implement stringent measures to control vehicular pollution by enhancing Pollution Under Control (PUC) checks for all vehicles plying on the city roads.
He also called for checks to contain the burning of garbage and solid fuels, as well as stringent action against those insisting on the use of kerosene for commercial and vehicular purposes.
A 100-day campaign run by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) to control pollution has also brought the practice of garbage burning under control, but the effort requires stricter vigilance after a garbage burning incident led to the gutting of two vehicles at Talaiyya.
