Air quality in Raipur

What is the air quality index of Raipur?

Raipur is the capital city of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. In 2011 the population was estimated at over 1 million people in the metropolitan area. The figure is probably higher now as 10 years have passed.

It is located near the centre of a large plain, sometimes referred to as the "rice bowl of India", where hundreds of varieties of rice are grown. There is a large river that flows to the east of Raipur and the southern area is covered by dense forests.

At the beginning of 2021. Raipur was experiencing a period of “Unhealthy” air with a US AQI reading of 153 according to figures suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The PM2.5 concentration level was 60.2 µg/m³. With figures as high as these, it is advisable to wear a mask when going outside. Doors and windows should remain closed so as to prevent the ingress of polluted air into the home. All forms of outdoor exercise should be avoided until the quality of air improves. It is recommended that an air purifier is used if one is available.

What is the main source of air pollution in Raipur?

The major sources of ambient particulate matter pollution are the burning of domestic and commercial biomass, wind-blown mineral dust, the burning of coal for energy production, industrial emissions and agricultural waste burning. There are construction works, brick furnaces, emissions produced by traffic vehicles and diesel generators. Domestic pollution comes from solid fuels used for cooking and heating include dried animal dung, agriculture burning, stone crushing and charcoal preparation.

These pollutants often react with hydrocarbons emitted from various sources due to strong sunlight. The resultant product is a very dangerous ground-level ozone (O₃).

The capital of Chhattisgarh (Raipur) has become one of the major polluted cities in the world. Since the formation of the state in 2000, tremendous industrial development has been taking place in the last 20 years. It is one of the few states in the country where electricity is in excess. To generate electricity, the state burns millions of tons of coal every day, due to which carbon and ash generated are polluting the industrial areas on a large scale.

The Abo-Hawa of the capital Raipur is badly polluted due to the Urala Silatra industrial areas adjoining it. For eight months of the year, the entire city is contaminated by ash. The same situation is found in the cities of Bilaspur, Korba and Raigad.

What is the pollution level in Raipur?

The pollution situation in Raipur has reached a very dangerous level. The World Health Organisation figures show that the annual emission of micro particles PM10 in Raipur is 309 µg/m³ while the annual emission of PM2.5 is stated to be 134 µg/m³. According to the first half of 2014 report, these levels had risen to 491 and 330. According to experts, it is becoming fatal and it is imperative that measures should be taken to control it quickly.

Is air pollution in Raipur getting better or worse?

To overcome pollution here in Raipur, efforts were made by the government to control pollution caused by industries, vehicles, construction works and burning of garbage in the open, burning wood and coal and the burning of crop residue. Large scale planting schemes have also been completed in the city in the last few years. While everyone living in Delhi is feeling suffocated at present, the situation in Raipur is already good with the rescue already adopted and the present condition of Raipur is like a 'clean city'. More than 20 acres of land in the real estate complex in the heart of the city has been converted into a green zone.

In 2020, following the instructions of the local authorities, big cities in Chhattisgarh were allowed to light firecrackers for only two hours on the night of Diwali. Even after this, the Chhattisgarh Environmental Protection Board claims that the air in the cities has been the least polluted than in the last 10 years. The ban on firecrackers was based on the air quality index of respective cities.

This time in the capital Raipur, air pollution in Diwali PM10 was about 5.89 per cent less than the average of last year. In Bilaspur, air pollution PM10 was reduced by about 7.52 per cent compared to last year and in Bhilai, the average air pollution level was reduced by about 9.3 per cent. The average PM10 i.e. number of dust particles in the air in Raipur city was 64.33 µg/m³ this year.

Similarly, the level of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) gas was reduced by 5.30 per cent to 16.60 µg/m³ and nitrogen oxide (NO) gas level was reduced by about 4.7 per cent to 25.75 µg/m³. Noise pollution was also reduced by almost 3.62 per cent on Diwali in Raipur city.

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

Studies conducted in 8 cities have attempted to understand the barriers that are hindering the goal of achieving air quality standards across the country. The primary research for the study was conducted in the eight cities of Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Vijayawada, Goa and Mumbai. Intense interaction was held with the members of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the pollution control boards of the respective states. It was stated that more than 1.2 million people die every year because of exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O₃).

Air quality standards in India are less strict than the global standards, but despite this, most of the states are unable to meet these standards. In such a situation, it is very important to understand the shortcomings in formulating the plans to improve air quality.

What are the effects of breathing Raipur’s poor quality air?

The people of Chhattisgarh are losing three and a half years of their lives due to air pollution. This was revealed in a new analysis of the Air Quality Life Index prepared by Epic, a research institution at the University of Chicago, USA.

According to data, the people of Raipur could live 4.9 years longer if the World Health Organisation guidelines were achieved. Meeting the same air quality standard in 1998 would have increased life expectancy by 2.2 years.