Cleaner Diwali for Jammu this year
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 23: Air quality across Jammu city remained in the “Moderately Polluted” category on Diwali day, with a noticeable rise in particulate matter due to festive fireworks. However, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) showed a slight improvement compared to last year’s Diwali, indicating relatively cleaner conditions this festive season.
The findings were recorded at five National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP) stations – SPCB Office Complex Narwal, M A M Stadium, Bikram Chowk, Dogra Hall and Janipur – where levels of Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM/PM10), PM2.5, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) were measured.
According to the data compiled by J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC), RSPM (PM10) levels ranged from 94 µg/m³ at M A M Stadium to 165 µg/m³ at Janipur, exceeding the permissible limit of 100 µg/m³. Other sites recorded 126 µg/m³ at Narwal, 156 µg/m³ at Bikram Chowk and 136 µg/m³ at Dogra Hall
The PM2.5 concentration was found to be highest at Janipur (48.48 µg/m³) followed by Bikram Chowk (42.36 µg/m³), while M A M Stadium recorded the lowest at 25.29 µg/m³.
The gaseous pollutants, however, stayed well within prescribed limits – SO2 ranged from 4.25 µg/m³ to 6.05 µg/m³, and NO2 between 17.1 µg/m³ at Narwal and 27.29 µg/m³ at Dogra Hall.
The mean 24-hour average levels for Jammu on Diwali day stood at RSPM 137.8 µg/m³, PM2.5 39.93 µg/m³, SO2 5.56 µg/m³, and NO2 19.18 µg/m³.
Based on these readings, the Air Quality Index (AQI) for this Diwali was calculated at 125, keeping the air quality in the “Moderately Polluted” category. In 2024, the AQI stood at 161, reflecting a modest but positive change this year.
Chairman JKPCC, Vasu Yadav said the marginal improvement in air quality this Diwali was driven by multiple contributing factors, including favorable weather conditions.
“This year, rains continued till late, which helped settle dust and reduce particulate matter levels. Also, Diwali arrived earlier in October, unlike previous years when it used to fall in November under colder and smoggier conditions. These factors together contributed to a slight improvement in AQI,” Yadav said.
He further urged residents to promote eco-friendly celebrations and reduce firecracker use to sustain and improve air quality in the coming years.
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