Chandigarh: While air pollution continues to pose a serious challenge in the national capital, Punjab is seeing relatively cleaner air, with pollution levels remaining within the moderate range and showing signs of further improvement in the coming days.
On Sunday, Delhi’s air quality remained alarming, with the city’s overall Air Quality Index touching 391, placing it dangerously close to the “severe” category and raising health concerns for residents. In contrast, Punjab recorded a far lower AQI of 108, reflecting comparatively better atmospheric conditions across the state.
Figures released by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) indicate that air quality in major towns across Punjab continues to fall under the moderate category. Bathinda emerged as the least polluted city with an AQI of 78. Other urban centres such as Patiala (116), Ludhiana (131), Amritsar (126), Khanna (95) and Jalandhar (162) also remained within acceptable limits.
Environmental experts attribute the stable air quality to favourable weather patterns and expect further improvement. They noted that upcoming western disturbances, if accompanied by rainfall, could help clear pollutants from the atmosphere. Experts also pointed out that shrinking green cover plays a role in rising pollution levels, as trees act as natural filters by absorbing harmful particles.
Senior officials from the PPCB acknowledged that emissions from vehicles, industries and brick kilns continue year-round and contribute to pollution. However, they stressed that additional factors such as dust-laden winds, limited rainfall after the monsoon season and increased construction activity worsen air quality during winter months.
Officials also pushed back against the recurring narrative of cross-border blame for pollution. One senior official remarked that the current data clearly shows Punjab cannot be held responsible for deteriorating air quality elsewhere, particularly during the post-harvest period.
A key factor behind Punjab’s improved air quality this year has been a sharp decline in farm fires. The state recorded 5,114 stubble-burning incidents, a significant drop of 53 per cent compared to 10,909 cases last year. Authorities credited this progress to the distribution of 1.58 lakh subsidised crop residue management machines to farmers since 2018, including over 16,000 machines provided this year alone.
In recent years, worsening pollution in Delhi has often triggered political exchanges between the Punjab and Delhi governments. Addressing the issue, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recently urged that the state should not be dragged into political disputes and said Punjab’s farmers deserve recognition for their efforts to reduce farm fires. He added that Delhi’s pollution problem requires focused action by both the city and the central government.
Meanwhile, Punjab has been experiencing foggy mornings due to calm winds, high moisture levels and weak sunlight, conditions that typically prevail during winter. Despite the fog, officials remain optimistic that stronger winds and changing weather patterns will help keep pollution levels in check.
