LUCKNOW’S AIR QUALITY WORST IN COUNTRY: CPCB

LUCKNOW : The state capital recorded worst air quality for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. According to the data released by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Lucknow air quality index (AQI) was 361, on Wednesday, highest across the country.

On Tuesday, Lucknow had an AQI of 383 and was the second most polluted city in the country, behind Kanpur which recorded an AQI of 397.

LUCKNOW: The state capital recorded worst air quality for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. According to the data released by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Lucknow air quality index (AQI) was 361, on Wednesday, highest across the country. On Tuesday, Lucknow had an AQI of 383 and was the second most polluted city in the country, behind Kanpur which recorded an AQI of 397. Despite claims by local administration and municipal corporation, Lucknow’s AQI remained above 300 on most days since October 1 last year.

An AQI above 301 is considered very poor and known to have harmful impact on the health of people on long term exposure, experts said. In Lucknow particulate matter, mainly PM2.5 was the major pollutant as per the CPCB report. In Lucknow Gomti Nagar and Hazratganj had the highest AQI in the city followed by Talkatora. “In areas like Gomti Nagar and Hazratganj pollution is caused by human activities, vehicular movement and construction work whereas in Talkatora industrial emissions are major contributors for poor air quality, officials said. “The ongoing construction work in public places by government agencies which is done in many parts of the city is also a major reason why poor AQI was recorded,” said regional officer (RO) of UP Pollution Control Board Ram Karan.