Bengaluru chokes as Deepavali crackers push air quality to dangerous levels

BENGALURU: The city's air quality nosedived this Deepavali as firecracker-related pollution worsened the air quality index (AQI) in most parts. Despite regulations from Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) that only green crackers should be burst, widespread violations resulted in several areas recording extremely high AQI readings.

In the past few days, fireworks were set off extensively, propelling daily average PM2.5 levels past 100 microns per cubic metre - the threshold for poor air quality - in over 90% of the monitored areas. PM2.5, an air quality index, is invisible particulate matter of 2.5 microns thickness suspended in the air. PM2.5 is measured as micrograms per cubic metre and averaged over 24 hours. BTM Layout, with a PM2.5 level of 323 microns/cubic metre, Hebbal (457), Kasturinagar (337), Peenya (300), and City Railway Station (227) were among the worst-affected areas on Nov 1.
The areas around Hebbal saw the PM2.5 level touching 500 on Nov 2 - one of the highest in the city - attributed to an overwhelming concentration of fireworks and heavy traffic along KIA Road.
"The sharp rise in PM2.5 particle concentrations is of particular concern, as these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, exacerbating respiratory issues," a KSPCB official said, adding: "Post Covid-19 pandemic, this is the first time pollution is so high during Deepavali."
Shanth A Thimmaiah, chairman of KSPCB, said, "Over the past four days, vehicular movement surged, especially on Nov 3 (Sunday). This increase led to a rise in ground-level pollutant concentration. With limited atmospheric buoyancy, these particles are likely to remain at ground level for an extended period."
Residents across the city said even "green" crackers were contributing to the dense smoke. "We were told green crackers were less polluting, but they don't seem to be any different," said Ravi Kumar, a resident of Kasturinagar. "The smoke was overwhelming and my family had to stay indoors with the windows closed," he elaborated.