Chandigarh recorded the worst air quality in India on Thursday, entering the ‘severe’ category for the first time this season. At 12 noon, the AQI in Chandigarh had zoomed to 427, said the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app, which gives real-time updates. In this alarming number, Chandigarh topped even Delhi’s numbers – 424 at the same time. The air quality had deteriorated to ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories in many cities, and widespread fears and demands for proper action to be taken soon were heard.
Chandigarh: Air Quality Turns ‘Severe’
The air quality of Chandigarh has always been recognized to be among the worst recorded cases in recent history. Sector 22 reflected unusually high AQI values through its air monitoring stations, while a reading of 365 was recorded at Sector 25 and an AQI of 455 at Sector 53. All these readings indicate hazardous air quality and very severe health risks from dangers of unclean air to residents, especially vulnerable sections of society such as children and the elderly.
As indicated by the AQI classification, a score between 401 and 450 is classified ‘severe,’ with possibilities of higher health impacts on the population, especially the sensitive groups. Such high levels of air pollution caught the attention of regional leaders like Chandigarh Congress MP Manish Tewari, who urged the Union Territory Administrator and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to shut all the schools for this purpose in order to shield the children from the polluted atmosphere.
Air Quality over Haryana and Punjab
The air quality has worsened in not just Chandigarh but also major parts of Haryana and Punjab. Most places feature in ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’ categories of the AQI. Gurugram reported an AQI of 323 and Panchkula 299, both in the ‘very poor’ category. Other cities like Bahadurgarh, Hisar, Sonipat, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, and Yamunanagar saw AQI scores ranging between 223 to 293, proclaiming this a statewide air pollution crisis.
Amritsar in Punjab had an AQI of 325, which is in the ‘very poor’ range. Ludhiana had an AQI of 211, Mandi Gobindgarh at 210, and AQI at 192 by Bathinda, which are all placed under ‘poor’ to moderate categories. It is quite evident that both states are suffering from alarming air pollution levels with more questions being asked about the health implications it faces along with the environmental factors that lead to the crisis.
AQI Levels and Health Implications:
The Air Quality Index is a generalized gauge of reporting the pollution level and classifying the air quality in accordance with the potential health effects. Levels of AQI range between 0-50 as ‘good’, 51-100 as ‘satisfactory, 101-200 as ‘moderate’, 201-300 as ‘poor’, 301-400 as ‘very poor, and more than 401 falls into the ‘severe’, ‘severe plus’ ranges that directly indicate serious health risks.
Air pollution is rated ‘severe’ – under such conditions, even health-conscious people can be affected through respiratory problems, and persons who have other diseases/medical conditions are highly susceptible to the seriousness of the illness. Long-term exposure to this level of pollution is also linked with many illnesses, which include respiratory infections, cardiovascular complications, and even long-term lung functioning effects.
Role of Stubble Burning in Pollution:
The stubble burning in the Punjab and Haryana regions every year gives large chunks of toxic substances into the air, worsens the air quality in northern India. Some farmers follow this practice of setting fields alight after harvesting their paddy crop in October and November because there is a need to clear the residue speedily in time before the onset of the next crop – chiefly wheat, sowing time for which is relatively short. Even though this practice is convenient to farmers economically, it produces tremendous amounts of particulate matter and harmful pollutants in the air, worsening the trend in the area.
Measures taken to control the practice, starting from official policies and incentives for alternative use of stubble, have failed to achieve anything substantial due to crippling lack of resources and complete absence of infrastructure at most places in the two states to manage crop residues. Over time, Punjab as well as Haryana have taken a number of steps on machinery and incentives to overcome the problem of stubble burning, but the problem being massive, it is testing.
Critical Action Needed
As air quality in Chandigarh and other adjacent areas continues to degrade, the call for urgent steps to safeguard public health gains further strength. Representatives, health officials, and members of the public approach the administration with demands for urgent intervention. The recommendation includes suspending schools temporarily, especially those younger children whose vulnerability is higher due to air pollution, and tightening the noose around the emission of industrial projects as well as vehicular emissions.
In the statement issued by Manish Tewari, where he urges the officers to close down schools until the quality of the air improves, it reveals the compelling necessity to adopt immediate safeguards to protect the citizens from the hazardous health hazards of pollution. In particular, critical periods of pollution may mandate schools and other institutions to prefer alternate scheduling or online learning modes.
Future Steps: Requirements for Long-term Solutions
The air quality crisis in Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana has indeed highlighted the need for longer-term solutions that will really address the problem of pollution. Some of these measures may include investment in cleaner agricultural practices; increased effort must be put into strictly enforcing emission norms; there is a great need to promote a shift toward public transportation and electric vehicles. Awareness in the public and promotion of sustainable farming practice may also lead to curbing this high level of pollution.
In addition, cooperation from the state government with the central government is as important in providing the subsidy to deal with crop residue management, encouraging cleaner solutions in energy production, and ensuring better monitoring of sources of pollution. Other steps that could reduce reliance on burning stubble in the long term include investment in infrastructure for crop residue management and incentives for farmers to adopt sustainable alternatives.
Conclusion
This degrading air quality at Chandigarh coupled with increasing pollution levels in other parts of Punjab and Haryana stresses the need to reduce pollution through short-term and long-term control measures. Since the AQI reaches severe levels, posing serious threats to human health, especially of the susceptible population, the need for immediate action cannot be overlooked while imposing sustainable practices or policies that may reduce pollution over time and ensure proper air quality for ages to come.
Source: Central Pollution Control Board (Sameer app data)