Blanket of smog engulfs Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Early morning walkers were shocked to see a thick blanket of smog in most residential areas, thereby indicating extensive use of crackers by city residents during Diwali.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which continuously monitors air quality at its five monitoring stations located in different parts of the city, has noted that the average air quality index went poorer between 23 per cent and 68 per cent during Wednesday and Thursday, compared with normal days.

The stations are located at City Railway Station, BTM Layout, Kadabesanahalli near Bellandur, Peenya and  Saneguravanahalli near Basaveshwaranagar.

The air quality index is defined as an overall scheme that transforms weighted values of individual air pollution related parameters (PM10, SO2, CO, visibility, etc.) into a single number or set of numbers, officials said. Although Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) had urged the public to refrain from bursting crackers keeping in mind the city’s pollution levels, it has been 
largely ignored by the residents.

Crackers were burst well past midnight on Thursday. This is despite the fact that crackers were more expensive this year due to the implementation of Goods and Services Tax.

Chandana N., a resident of Banasawadi, said that she and her friends did not burst crackers keeping in mind the city’s pollution.  “It also causes respiratory problems among the city residents. Instead, this time we exchanged sweets,” she added. Another resident Vinod Nayak said the use of crackers have come down drastically. Next year, it would be a cracker less Diwali and that is the resolution, he added.