Chandigarh, October 23, 2024: Punjab Governor and Union Territory Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria convened a critical meeting with senior officials to address the worsening air quality in Chandigarh and instructed officials to intensify efforts to combat air pollution in the city.
On Tuesday, Chandigarh recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 191, categorized as “very poor,” a notable increase from 162 the previous day. The Sector 22 air monitoring station reported an alarming AQI of 302 in the afternoon.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee issued a warning about the potential implementation of a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) if pollution levels continue to escalate. This plan would introduce various precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of pollution in the city.
With Diwali approaching, the administration has issued stringent guidelines on firecracker usage. Only green firecrackers are permitted within designated timeframes to help improve air quality during the festive season.
In a related matter, a hearing took place in the Supreme Court concerning stubble burning issues. The court expressed frustration with the Punjab and Haryana governments for their lack of seriousness and inaction regarding stubble burning cases. “False statements are being made in the court,” the Supreme Court stated, warning that it would issue defamation notices if correct information is not provided.
The court also criticized the central government for its inadequate measures to address stubble burning in North India, stating that the Environment Protection Act has become “powerless.”
