Chhattisgarh’s bustling capital, Raipur has always been in news for its poor air quality. This festive season the scenario was not so different. In fact the air quality has further worsened.
Though Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB), state pollution agency has reported drop in percentage of pollution of both air and noise. But as per the study being underway for community participation, jointly by Chhattisgarh State Health Resource Centre, Kalibadi, Raipur and Social Research Centre, Bangalore, the data points out a different scenario.
As per data available, the quality of air during the Diwali week in Raipur even crossed the ‘Severe’ barrier as per Indian standards of measurement in both PM2.5 ug/m3 and PM10 ug/m3.
Dr Prabir Chatterjee, Director, SHRC said it is the third study being conducted in the state. Earlier, separate study was conducted for health impact due to air quality at Raipur and Korba. This current study is being undertaken to ensure community participation in future for reduction in air pollution. The air quality monitoring stations have been installed across the Raipur city.
As per data available from October 15 to October 30, the air quality started to deteriorate from October 17, peaked in October 27 and started to drop by October 30. Certain areas of city reported ‘severe’ situation in both PM 2.5 and PM10 categories. During rains between the period, which lashed the city there was drop in pollution levels as per data. For example at AIIMS Campus, Urla Industrial Area and Rishabh Nagar and Pawan Vihar Colony-2 on October 16 and 17, the range was from 104 to 176 ug/m3.
The PM10 category data on October 27, the highest level (severe) was reported at Bharat Mata Chowk, Anand Nagar with 620 ug/m3 maximum (average 344 ug/m3), followed by Rishabh Nagar and Pawan Vihar Colony-2 with 458 ug/m3, Ekta Chowk, Katora Talab 427 ug/m3, Shikshak Colony, Daganiya 410 ug/m3, Janata colony, Gudhiyari 405 ug/m3, UNICEF, Civil Lines 403 ug/m3. The lowest was reported in Shambhav Warehouse, New Industrial Area of 68 ug/m3. The other areas reported range from 104 to 325 ug/m3 showing result of moderately, poor and very poor quality of air.
Similarly, in PM2.5, Bharat Mata Chowk, Anand Nagar recorded 552 ug/m3 maximum (average 308 ug/m3) , followed by Rishabh Nagar and Pawan Vihar Colony-2 with 397 ug/m3, Ekta Chowk, Katora Talab 376 ug/m3, Janata colony, Gudhiyari 363 ug/m3, UNICEF, Civil Lines 329 ug/m3, Rishabh Nagar and Pawan Vihar Shikshak Colony 327 ug/m3. The lowest was reported in Shambhav Warehouse, New Industrial Area of 70 ug/m3. The other areas ranged from 290 to 116 ug/m3 which fall under poor to very poor quality of air.
