Punjab Pollution Control Board issues advisory as air quality worsens

Dust storms originating from Rajasthan led to worsening of air quality in Punjab, with the state pollution control board issuing an advisory for restraining all construction activities, including carpeting of roads, till the situation improves.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board said the deteriorating air quality is affecting human beings, animals and plants.

The Air Quality Index in Ludhiana was 443, in Amritsar it was 454, in Mandi Gobindgarh its was 440, Khanna 389, Patiala 403, Ropar 417, all fall in severe category of air quality, it said.

The advisory said all construction activities, including carpeting of roads be stopped for the time being while sand, soil must be carried duly covered in trolleys and trucks.

It said that due to dust storms originating from Rajasthan and adjoining deserts the air quality in Punjab has worsened.

The advisory further states that asthma patients or those facing issues related to heart, eyes and skin must preferably remain indoors, the advisory states.

Parents are advised not to let their children play outside. People are advised not to travel long distances in open trolleys and trucks, it said.

A spokesperson of the board said acording to the meteorological department, western disturbances are approaching northern India and rainfall is expected in a day or two, which will help clear this haze and dust.

In view of severe dust pollution, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) had yesterday issued an advisory that no construction activity could be carried out for the next two days in districts falling under the National Capital Region (NCR).