GUWAHATI: Over the past week, Guwahati's air quality has significantly deteriorated due to a combination of dust storms and rising temperatures, with little relief in sight. As of March 14, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Guwahati was recorded at 204, falling into the 'poor' category. Throughout March, the AQI readings have shown a consistent increase.
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GPlus obtained readings from the Central Pollution Control Board's live website, revealing a concerning pattern in the air quality. Data collected from the Panbazar station since the beginning of March consistently showed AQI levels in the 'poor' to 'very poor' category.
The ongoing construction projects across Guwahati have exacerbated dust pollution, with significant increases observed. Notably, the Panbazar Station recorded AQI levels above 300 until March 4, coinciding with the construction of the elevated corridor of the Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge, primarily contributing to PM 2.5 pollution.
March 1 – 336; March 2- 306; March 3 – 327; March 4 – 314
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Following the inauguration of a major project in the city, AQI levels briefly dropped to the moderate range (in the 100s or 200s), but this improvement was short-lived. Over the past three days, the AQI in Guwahati has once again fallen into the 'poor' category, with PM 10 levels ranging from 206 on March 11 to 224 on March 13 on average.
On March 14, the PM 10 levels peaked at 485 in Guwahati, and today, the current readings remain high at around 420.
Research indicates that PM2.5 particles tend to penetrate deeper into the lungs, affecting smaller airways, while PM10 particles deposit on the surfaces of larger airways, causing tissue damage and inflammation.
While talking to GPlus, an official from the PCBA said, “This is a dusty season, it always has been but right now the condition is aggravated because of the numerous developmental projects that are taking place simultaneously. Along with this, several trees have also been cut down to accommodate these projects.”
On being asked how to battle the dust, the official said, "The natural things are not in our control but the constructions can be controlled. If we reduce the number of construction projects, maybe it will help the AQI."
He further said, "Water should be sprinkled in the construction areas as well as on the roads to help curb the dust pollution."
Guwahati is currently witnessing the construction of several projects, including the Dighalipukhuri-Noonmati flyover, the Brahmaputra Riverfront Development Project in Uzan Bazar, Guwahati-North Guwahati Bridge, MMCH Hospital, old Panbazar overbridge demolition, Cycle factory-Lal Ganesh flyover, among others. Furthermore, works such as Jal Board installations, footpath reconstruction, and reconstruction on B Borooah Road are contributing to the dust problem, ultimately impacting the AQI of the city.
For now, residents of the city can only pray for some rain, which can then settle the dust.
