HYDERABAD: The Sankranti festival is turning out to be gift from heaven, with the air smelling purer and cleaner, thanks to low traffic on Telangana roads.
According to PCB officials, the long-weekend of Sankranti has helped improve air quality after many residents left for their hometowns for the festival.
Pollution expert Suman Mehta said, “Lower traffic volume on roads has definitely had a role to play in reducing emissions and harmful pollutants, especially from diesel cars. Also, a lot of waste and leaves are usually burnt in residential complexes, but with many people have gone out of the city, smoke too has lessened.”
PCB officials said that there had been a noticeable positive dip in the parameters used to judge air quality. However, a large-scale dip was not possible overnight without conscious effort by citizens.
In Sanathnagar, the PM 2.5 particle count dropped from 78 to 74 and the carbon monoxide levels reduced to 1.37 while the permissible limit is 1.41. A dip in the particulate matter can be seen in limits of Ida Pashamylaram as PM 2.5 particles have dipped to 68 this week-end as opposed 77 at the start of it.
Bolaram has also seen a dip in carbon monoxide levels to 0.97 from 1.44. PM 10 levels have also dropped to 143 while the permissible limit is 146. At the start of the week, the levels rise to over 156. The central university limits has also seen a drastic drop in particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels from over 77 to 64.
PCB officials said that the dip could be maintained on a consistent basis if people do their part for cleaner air.
S. Ravinder, another pollution expert, said, “Every festival season, we see a rise in harmful matter in the air. It is good to note that Sankranti has brought a change. But this should happen even while all the citizens of Telangana stay at home and celebrate a festival. We just have to be more thoughtful against pollutants like crackers, not using public transport and others.”
