Nagpur’s air quality worsens, AQI at 114

Nagpur: Dry weather and falling night temperatures have begun affecting Nagpur’s air quality, with the AQI reaching a moderate 114 on Tuesday. With Diwali approaching, experts warn that further temperature drops in Nov, coupled with firecracker emissions, could worsen pollution levels.

The city’s AQI was higher than Mumbai’s 111 and Chandrapur’s 97, according to the CPCB bulletin issued at 4pm on Oct 21. Pune recorded an AQI of 118.

According to pollution control board data, PM10 concentrations peaked at 148 µg/m³ at Ambazari and Ram Nagar, followed by 146 µg/m³ at Mahal and 132 µg/m³ at GPO Civil Lines. The high readings at Ambazari and Ram Nagar were notable given their substantial green cover.

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) regional officer Hema Deshpande attributed the deterioration to multiple factors. “Increase in traffic, dry weather, open burning of solid waste and cracker bursting are among the major reasons for the fall in ambient air quality.

Enforcing agencies need to implement the graded action plan to bring air quality under control,” she said. Deshpande added that falling night temperatures were contributing to PM10 accumulation.

Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) public health engineering officials did not respond to TOI calls. Doctors said the deteriorating air quality was affecting children, particularly those with asthma and other respiratory ailments.

Paediatric pulmonologist Dr Vivek Charde said several patients had reported increased coughing and prolonged respiratory infections.“Air pollution particularly affects asthmatic patients. Many are reporting worsening respiratory symptoms, especially an increase in cough intensity.

Some have prolonged respiratory infections lasting 10-15 days,” he said.“In many asthmatic children, we have had to restart inhalers or increase their dosage. These patients are advised to avoid dusty environments and take influenza vaccination if they have not already done so,” he added.

Citizens also reported frequent open burning of solid waste, particularly in the mornings. “The irregular lifting of solid waste, especially dry leaves and plastic, forces citizens and sanitation workers to burn it,” said AA Khan, a resident of Borgaon.

CPCB AQI bulletin, Oct 21, 4pm City----------AQIPune-----------118Nagpur-------114Mumbai-------111Chandrapur----97Nagpur: highest PM10 levels in last 24 hours Monitoring station-------------PM10 (µg/m³)Ambazari--------------------148Ram Nagar------------------148Mahal-----------------------146GPO Civil Lines-----------132You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news.

Key quotes

• “Increase in traffic, dry weather, open burning of solid waste and cracker bursting are among the major reasons for the fall in ambient air quality. Enforcing agencies need to implement the graded action plan to bring air quality under control,”

• “Air pollution particularly affects asthmatic patients. Many are reporting worsening respiratory symptoms, especially an increase in cough intensity. Some have prolonged respiratory infections lasting 10-15 days,”

• “In many asthmatic children, we have had to restart inhalers or increase their dosage. These patients are advised to avoid dusty environments and take influenza vaccination if they have not already done so,”

• “The irregular lifting of solid waste, especially dry leaves and plastic, forces citizens and sanitation workers to burn it,”