Diwali — the festival of lights is also the festival that increases the concerns of eco-sensitive groups and departments. Every year during Divali the air pollution level in City Beautiful witnesses a steep increase.
According to a report, “State of Environment Chandigarh — 2004”, prepared by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, the pollution level of Chandigarh is increasing every year.
In the city, the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee is operating five National Ambient Air Monitoring Programme stations, including in Industrial Area, Kaimbwala and Sector 17. The Sector 17 station represents residential-cum-commercial area.
According to the report, the presence of SPM in the air at the Sector 17 station remains high throughout the year. The maximum value (400 microgram per litre) was observed in June 2003. The permissible annual average limit is 140 microgram per litre in residential areas. This could be attributed to increase in the number of vehicles.
In Industrial Area also the annual average of SPM level remains high. It was more than 400 microgram per litre in June 2003 against the permissible limit of 360 microgram per litre.
However, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide levels are within permissible limits in the city. The report points out that in 2001 the city has almost the same vehicular pollution load as New Delhi had in 1994.
The number of vehicles in the city is very high as compared to those in other cities. There is one registered vehicle for every 1.7 persons in the city, while in New Delhi and Pune there is one vehicle for four and 16 persons, respectively.
The report, quoting a study conducted in 2001, says the level of carbon monoxide is high on the Madhya and Dakshin Margs.
