AQI & temp down, thanks to rain; TT Ngr still polluted

Bhopal: Where human intervention and authorities couldn’t do much and seemed to only exacerbate the situation, weather has stepped forward to help. Pollution levels of the state capital have come down due to showers in the past few days with a decrease in the city’s AQI. But as the dust settles in the matter, a new trend has emerged: Pollution levels in the TT Nagar area of the city was more than double than that in Paryavaran Parisar, which is notoriously known to be one of the most polluted areas in the city. This means the activities that led to air pollution were now taking place way more in TT Nagar (New Market area) in comparison to Arera Colony.The decrease in air quality index (a number used to describe the level of air pollution in a specific area) was witnessed in TT Nagar as well as in Paryavaran Parisar (area colony). It was believed to be due to showers in the middle of summer.

As observable in the city now, showers can do wonders for the air quality. The reason why air pollution comes down during rains, experts pointed out, is that dust gets heavy in showers and does not fly in the air. The vehicular pollution also gets down as tyres do not lead to flying of pollutants and dust in air, as it settles down on ground. It is the reason why pollution levels come down during rains.Officials said, apart from the damaged roads, flying dust from vehicles and increase in construction activities after showers leads to increase in the pollution levels. Burning of crop residues, pollution from vehicles, burning of garbage, bonfires and wood/coal in the open, use of coal-based tandoors and furnaces, construction works (roads, flyovers), improper collection and management of construction and demolition waste, traffic jams at major intersections, pollution generated by industries and due to lack of regular cleaning of roads in industrial and commercial areas are counted as the other reasons for increased air pollution by the govt in a reply in the assembly.