Pune has been experiencing moderate air quality with an air quality index (AQI) of 122 as of Thursday, October 31. However, this is expected to worsen in the next 24 hours due to the ongoing Diwali festival, which has three days remaining. According to predictions from the SAFAR-IITM model, areas such as Katraj, Shivajinagar, Hadapsar, and Bhosari are likely to see a further increase in air pollution.
Historically, Diwali has often coincided with the onset of winter, but factors such as stagnant air, open burning of garbage, and extensive firecracker use have led to a significant decline in air quality during this festive season. This year, as Diwali approaches, pollutant levels have risen, causing the air quality to drop from satisfactory to moderate, with expectations of further decline as the main festival day falls on Friday, November 1, 2024.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) indicates that Pune’s current AQI is at 122, with predictions that it could exceed 200 in some areas within the next day. On Thursday, the highest AQI readings were recorded at 184 in Thergaon, 173 in Katraj, and 133 at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Chowk. Areas like Hadapsar, Shivajinagar, Pashan, and Katraj are anticipated to see AQI levels surpassing 200. The primary contributors to the rising pollution levels are particulate matter (PM) 10 and PM 2.5.
While traffic is a significant factor, even regions with less congestion, such as Katraj Dairy, are showing elevated pollution levels. Sachin Ghude, head of metropolitan air quality and weather forecasting services at IITM Pune, noted that while they have yet to investigate high pollution stations beyond traffic junctions, there are indications of open burning occurring in many areas, suggesting that local activities may also be contributing to the pollution increase.
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