Pollution levels in areas under the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) spiked during festive celebrations, despite intermittent rainfall, an official said on Thursday, reported thee PTI.
According to a report released by the TMC, air pollution levels increased by 11.1 per cent on Lakshmi Puja day compared to pre-Diwali readings. The concentration of particulate matter (PM) rose to 139 ug/m3, indicating poor air quality.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed from 141 before Diwali to 157 during the festivities, while noise pollution levels also rose by 3.2 per cent, the official added.
TMC’s Chief Environmental Officer, Manisha Pradhan, urged residents to take greater responsibility for minimising pollution during festive celebrations.
“We appeal to citizens to consciously reduce their environmental footprint during festivals. Green fireworks are a step in the right direction,” Pradhan said, according to the PTI.
The TMC has been conducting regular air and noise quality monitoring across the city, especially during major festivals, to assess the environmental impact of celebrations.
Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported that Mumbai’s air quality remained in the `poor` category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 116 at 9.15 am.
As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed `moderate` AQI. Colaba, Worli, Borivali, Bhandup and Vile Parle recorded `good` air quality, with an AQI of 95, 81, 68, 54 and 100, respectively.
Meanwhile, Powai, Malad, Andheri and Byculla recorded `moderate` air quality, with an AQI of 117, 119, 131 and 120, respectively.
Bandra Kurla Complex recorded `poor` are air quality, with an AQI of 206.
According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the `moderate` category with an AQI of 102, while Thane registered a `good` AQI of 97.
The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered `good`, 100 to 200 `moderate`, 200 to 300 `poor`, 300 to 400 `very poor` and from 400 to 500 or above `severe`.
Meanwhile, The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and its National Capital Region on Thursday morning remained under the “very poor” category with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) II norms already in place.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 362 as of 6 am today. The AQI in the RK Puram area of south-west Delhi remains “very poor” at 362, as of 6 am. The AQI at Patparganj also remains “very poor” at 361. The AQI at India Gate and the surrounding areas was recorded at 353, classified as “Very Poor” by the CPCB.
