Indore: City’s pollution level remained ‘locked’ even after the city was being unlocked after two months of Corona Curfew. The air quality index in the city has remained below 100 i.e. on the satisfactory level for all the 17 days of current month even when the unlock activities were started from June 1.
“Yes, the air quality of the city has improved and the AQI didn’t cross above 100 mark after May 25. Moreover, the AQI remained below 100 for 19 days of May and it increased only above 100 for 7-8 days but didn’t cross even the 137 mark,” chief chemist of Pollution Control Board Dr DK Wagela said.
However, the increased air quality index in the month of April, even after total lockdown, had become a matter of concern for the officials as it reached the poor level and the AQI was above 250.
Talking about the reasons for low AQI even after unlocking activities, Dr Wagela said, “In April, the level of pollution shot as there was no wind activity and increasing temperature caused the pollutants to settle down. The AQI has decreased below 100 due to pre-monsoon activities including gusty winds and rainfall.”
The pollution control board official believes that AQI would remain at a satisfactory level for the next couple of months due to monsoon activities.
“We also run various activities to spread awareness among people to check on pollution levels in the city and also regularly check the industries for the same to keep the pollution level down,” Dr Wagela added.
AQI in June
Date AQI
June 1 85
June 2 72
June 3 69
June 4 69
June 5 74
June 6 67
June 7 79
June 8 69
June 9 82
June 10 59
June 11 54
June 12 58
June 13 65
June 14 72
June 15 73
June 16 84
Highest in May- Highest AQI was recorded in May was on May 9 i.e. 137
