The unchecked bursting of firecrackers during Diwali led to a significant spike in the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Chandigarh, placing it in the “very poor” category and reaching 395 at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) in Sector 22. Despite efforts by the administration to control pollution by restricting cracker usage to green crackers and limiting the timing from 8 pm to 10 pm, the AQI did not improve even 24 hours after Diwali.
This spike in air pollution marked the season’s highest AQI reading so far, which had previously avoided the “very poor” range despite factors like stubble burning in neighboring Punjab and Haryana and increased vehicular emissions during the festive season. However, this year’s AQI was slightly better compared to last Diwali, when it entered the “severe” category with a reading of 453. Sector 53 recorded an AQI of 350, with other locations like IMTECH in Sector 39 and Sector 17 registering similar high levels.
The primary pollutant was PM2.5, known for its health hazards such as respiratory and cardiovascular issues with prolonged exposure. CPCB research links short-term PM2.5 exposure to respiratory conditions, while long-term exposure can lead to chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and higher mortality from diseases like lung cancer and heart disease.
Additionally, noise pollution spiked, with Sector 22 logging the loudest noise level of 79.4 decibels (dB) between 9 pm and 10 pm, followed by high levels in other sectors. Standard night-time noise levels are typically capped at 45 dB, underscoring the increase in noise pollution during the festivities.
TC Nautiyal, member secretary of the CPCC, attributed this year’s relatively lower AQI levels to the warmer temperatures during this earlier Diwali, which prevented the air quality from reaching the severe category. However, temperature inversion in colder months could potentially worsen air quality as pollutants get trapped, highlighting the ongoing challenges for environmental management during festive periods.
