As the nation shifts abruptly to lockdown mode to fight the deadly novel coronavirus, with people staying indoors on Sunday on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Janata Curfew’, there has been an unexpected result —the clear blue sky.

“Many of the actions the people are taking to fight the coronavirus, like self-imposed ‘curfew’ or working from home, will have an additional benefit of reducing carbon footprint, besides breaking the virus transmission chain. This will help in reduction of individual’s production of greenhouse gases thus significantly curbing emission. This in turn could help in improving the air quality,” said Narendra Nath, a scientist with the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board.

He said that the air quality had improved across the state and one could see the difference. “The sky is blue, which is a pleasant surprise for environmentalists. And this phenomena is visible all across India,” he said.

In Lucknow, the air quality index at noon on Sunday was 61 – it otherwise remains over 200. Nath’s statement was dittoed by Anumita Roychaudhry, from the Centre for Science and Environment. “This is a crisis induced change which has forced people to go for ‘Janata curfew’ (people’s curfew) or allow them to work from home. Vehicular traffic is off the road across the country. The pollution-producing industries are closed and this will reduce carbon footprint,” she said.

Roychaudhry said that satellite pictures had shown reduction in pollution in China and Italy after lockdown was imposed in these countries. “The pictures for India are not available now but surely they will show a positive impact (of lockdown) on the country,” Roychaudhry said.