Raipur air pollution hits record levels
Raipur | Correspondent: Air pollution in the capital city of Chhattisgarh has significantly worsened over the past week, with pollution levels crossing dangerous thresholds.
Although this is not the daily average, Raipur’s air quality has shown PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels exceeding safe limits for several hours each day.
Over the past six days, the concentration of pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 has risen well above prescribed standards in Raipur.
PM 2.5 refers to particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, while PM 10 refers to particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.
These microscopic particles can lead to severe health issues.
According to regulations, if any of the nine air quality standards in a city exceed permissible levels for two consecutive days, an investigation is mandatory.
Nitin Singhvi, an environmental advocate in Raipur, has written to the Environment Protection Board, urging an inquiry.
In his letter, Singhvi emphasized that PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels have not only risen in Raipur but also across other cities in the state.
He noted that pollutant levels have been increasing since November of last year, yet the Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board has not initiated any investigation.
Worsening Air Quality Over the Past Six Days
The new air quality monitoring unit at the Bhatagaon bus stand recorded maximum PM 2.5 levels from November 1 to November 6, 2024, at 500, 448, 186, 226, 144, and 195, respectively, all well above the safe limit of 60.
Similarly, PM 10 levels during this period were 500, 412, 147, 135, 115, and 139, exceeding the safe threshold of 100.
Carbon monoxide levels also frequently exceeded acceptable limits during this period.
Diwali Pollution Surpasses Previous Years
This Diwali, PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels both reached 500, while last year’s Diwali levels were recorded at 309 and 190, respectively.
The Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board’s monitoring devices cannot measure above 500, so PM 2.5 and PM 10 readings stop at this limit.
Monitoring Units Not Installed in Highly Polluted Areas
In Raipur, monitoring stations are currently installed at AIIMS, Bhatagaon New Bus Stand, Krishak Nagar, and Silatra.
Additionally, there are three monitoring units in Bhilai, two in Korba, and one each in Mangala (Bilaspur), Chhal, Kunjemura, Milupara, and Tumidih.
These units measure hourly pollutant levels, which are then combined to create the Air Quality Index (AQI).
However, no monitoring units are installed in Raipur’s main polluted areas, such as Jayastambh Chowk, Shastri Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Pachpedi Naka, and Shankar Nagar.
Similarly, densely polluted areas in other cities, including Bilaspur and Raigarh, also lack monitoring stations.
