Air quality in Patiala

What is the level of air pollution in Patiala?

Patiala is a city in the south-eastern region of the Punjab in north-western India. A 2020 census estimated the population to be approximately 765,000 people which ranked it as the fourth largest city in the state.

In May 2021, Patiala was experiencing a period of air quality that was classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with a US AQI reading of 123. This is an internationally recognised system that applies a set of metrics to determine air quality. It can then be used globally when comparing one city with another. It is supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The US AQI number is ascertained by measuring up to six of the main components of polluted air. In the case of Patiala only three components were recorded which were: PM2.5 - 44.6 µg/m³, PM10 - 92 µg/m³ and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) - 5.6 µg/m³. With elevated levels such as these, it is strongly recommended to stay inside and close all doors and windows to prevent more dirty air from entering the room. Those of a sensitive disposition should refrain from venturing outside until the air quality improves. A good quality mask should be worn when going outside although prolonged periods of outdoor activity are not recommended until the air quality gets noticeably better. The table at the top of this page will assist you with this decision. It would be very beneficial to use an air purifier if one is available.

What is the worst time of year for air pollution in Patiala?

Looking back at the figures published by the Swiss company IQAir.com, it can quickly be seen that the best quality air was had during the spring and summer months. The figures for March and April were 32.3 and 31.5 µg/m³ whilst June, July and August returned figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. This put Patiala in the “Moderate” air quality category. The next category was fragmented across the year with January and February, May, September and December showing readings between 35.5 and 55.4 µg/m³ which was classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups”. The remaining two months of October and November showed a further decline with their readings between 55.5 and 150.4 µg/m³, putting them into the “Unhealthy” bracket.

Records have been kept since 2018 when the recorded figure was 44.1 µg/m³ which was “Unhealthy for sensitive groups”. A marked improvement was recorded in 2019 when the figure revealed was 35.2 µg/m³ which was “Moderate”. But in 2020 when most cities recorded a much lower than expected figure because of the restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Patiala went back up to 41.1 µg/m³. The air quality improved in most other cities due to the prohibited use of most private vehicles and the suspension of production in many factories and similar companies.

Where does all this polluted air come from in Patiala?

The effect of burning stubble is now beginning to affect the Punjab. The quality of air in eight districts of the state has deteriorated due to this.

The burning of crop residue or Parali as it is known locally, has always been a source of trouble for the Punjab. Contrary to the claims of the government this year, the climate of the Punjab has started to deteriorate due to the burning of stubble. According to the data, the incidence of stubble burning this year has increased by 280 per cent over the previous year. Its adverse effects are now beginning to fall on the Punjab as well.

The air in eight districts of the state has been contaminated by the smoke from the straw. In this, the air quality index of Ludhiana has reached 218 and is placed in the Orange category. Additionally, the air quality index of Patiala, Bathinda, Mandi Gobindgarh, Jalandhar, Khanna and Amritsar has reached more than 100, due to which these districts are shown in the AQI index in the Yellow Zone.

Patiala has been declared as the windiest city in India in figures released by the Central Pollution Control Board. The survey was part of a national program initiated by the CPCB to reduce air pollution. The CPCB surveyed 74 cities across the country under the prescribed measurement of pollution metrics, with the air being cleaner and fresher than the other cities in Patiala under the PM2.5 and PM10 criteria set by the World Health Organisation. It had formerly held the rank as the 13^th most polluted city in the world.

What can be done to improve the air quality in Patiala?

In order to reduce vehicular pollution, new roads were built inside the city and on the outskirts and widened as required. Due to this, vehicles do not stay within the city boundaries for longer than necessary. Cleanliness is now continuously observed on the roadsides, so that the dust is washed away. In addition, emphasis was put on the replacement of old tree plants and the planting of new native saplings.

The Municipal Corporation and the Pollution Control Board are constantly monitoring the disposal of garbage and dried leaves inside the city. Efforts are also being made to stop the burning of crop residue and stubble in the surrounding countryside.

To cut down stubble burning and reduce environmental pollution, the local authorities inaugurated the country’s first-of-its-kind paddy straw-based Briquetting Plant of 100 tons per day capacity at Patiala.

This will have a two-fold benefit. Firstly the farmers need not burn their stubble and instead sell it to this plant thus making money for them out of something that would previously have gone up in flames. This will lessen air pollution for the surrounding environment.

Secondly, even though the calorific value of the briquettes is not as high as the coal they replace, the cost more than offsets this and still makes them cheaper to burn than coal.

The plant will utilise 45,000 tons of paddy straw and will help replace fossil fuel in industries, thus resulting in a carbon footprint reduction to the tune of 78,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

What impact does air pollution in Patiala have on our health?

The increasing level of air pollution is causing a number of problems, including difficulty in breathing in the elderly. Air pollution is believed to be the third largest cause of death in India.

Due to increasing age, many body parts of the elderly work very slowly. Due to this, their lungs are not able to filter fresh air. This is why the elderly get many breathing problems due to breathing in polluted air.

The immune system of the elderly is much weaker than that of younger adults. Due to this, they catch diseases faster. A weak immune system has difficulty dealing with harmful pollutants present in the air. This causes the elderly to have severe asthma and trouble breathing.