AQI at all-time high in Bhopal
   Date :26-Nov-2023

AQI 
 
 
 
 
By Ankita Garg
Despite 11 days of strict monitoring by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and District Administration, the Air Quality Index (AQI) broke all records with highest level of 363 (very poor) on Friday evening. Experts said that on November 23, people celebrated the festival of ‘Ekadashi’ with fireworks that increased the AQI at highest level ever. While in day time, AQI was recorded in moderated category as 199, during evening hours, AQI was raised to 363 that dampen the spirit of officials who are taking various measures to control the pollution level. Since festival of Diwali, AQI is being recorded in ‘very poor’ category (around 300). After many efforts, on November 22, AQI came down till 238 (poor) but again on November 23, people burnt fire-crackers to celebrate the festival of ‘Dev Uthani Ekadashi’ that increased the pollution level of city. Besides, air is stable that is also contributing to the poor air quality. Pollution Control Board (PCB) measures the air quality at three spots in city including Shahpura, Idgah, Koh-E-Fiza and TT Nagar. According to the PCB, on November 23, AQI was recorded as 190 in afternoon hours but till 11 pm it was recorded as 200 and next day on November 24 morning, it was recorded as 300.
 

AQI 
 
Within ten hours, AQI was increased by 100 points. Experts said that at night, AQI increased by 10-10 points on every hour. On November 23 evening, AQI was recorded as 253 in Paryavas Parisar, 199 at TT Nagar and 273 at Koh-E-Fiza. Next day on November 24 (morning), Paryavas Parisar recorded AQI as 358, TT Nagar 304 and Idgah-Koh-e-Fiza 304. During evening hours of November 24, AQI was recorded as 363 at Paryavas Parisar, 307 TT Nagar and 309 Idgah Hills- Koh-E-Fiza. Officials of PCB said that AQI generally increases during winters as the harmful gases releasing from vehicles do not get expanded into air. PCB Regional Manager Brajesh Sharma said that AQI has been increased for all of sudden and main reason for this is the firecrackers on November 23. He further said, on other side, air is stable. Earlier AQI was controlled with continuous monitoring and efforts of BMC and District Administration.