Air quality in Bathinda

What is the level of air pollution in Bathinda city?

Bathinda is a city and municipal corporation in the state of Punjab, India. It located in north-western India in the Malwa Region, 227 kilometres west of the capital city of Chandigarh and is the fifth largest city in the Punjab. A 2011 census estimated the population to be approximately 285,000 people which placed it as the fifth most populous city in the state.

Towards the middle of 2021, Bathinda was experiencing a period of “Unhealthy” air quality with a US AQI reading of 185. This follows the guidelines as suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is a globally used set of metrics that is needed when comparing air quality in different cities across the world. In order to determine this level, there are usually six of the most prevalent pollutants which are measured. However, there are times when measurements for all six are not available, in which case, the information that is available is used. In the case of Bathinda only the concentration of PM2.5 was recorded which was 120.9 µg/m³. With levels such as these, the advice given is to stay inside and close all doors and windows to prevent the ingress of more dirty air into the rooms. Those people of a sensitive disposition should avoid venturing outside whilst the air is of such poor quality. Outdoor exercise is not recommended for anybody until the air quality improves. The table at the top of this page will help you assess the situation. In the meantime, consider using an air purifier if one is available.

Is the level of air pollution in Bathinda the same all year round?

Air pollution can and is affected by many variables such as the speed and direction of the wind, the strength of the sunlight and proximity to the source so it can change very quickly within a relatively short space of time.

Looking back at the figures released by the Swiss company IQAir.com, it can be seen that the best air quality appears in spring and summer. The months of March and April and then June, July and August recorded levels as “Moderate” quality with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³.

The next category was somewhat fragmented over the year with January, May, September and December bringing in poorer air quality when it was classed as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with figures between 35.5 and 55.4 µg/m³. The remaining months of February, October and November saw the quality slip once more into the “Unhealthy” category with figures between 55.5 and 150.4 µg/m³.

Historically, records have been kept about the air quality since 2019 when a low figure of 31 µg/m³ was noted. 2020 brought in a figure of 41.2 µg/m³. This figure could be artificially lower than usual because of the restrictions brought into force due to the COVID-19 pandemic when the use of private vehicles was mainly prohibited and many manufacturing plants were told to cease production until further notice.

Where does the polluted air in Bathinda come from?

It would appear that a major cause of air pollution in Bathinda comes from the burning of stubble in the surrounding area. The burning of straw caused so much smoke to spread in the city air that visibility was reduced to just 300 meters. By reaching the air quality index of 406, it became difficult for people to breathe in the open air. Rickshaw drivers say that it was difficult to walk at the side of the road due to a burning eye irritation.

Air pollution is increasing in different cities of India. This problem has become more challenging in the plains states of North India. In air pollution, the smoke emanating from vehicles, gases and smoke from industries, dust and sand particles blowing during the construction of buildings and roads etc. have an important role. Also, the situation gets worse in the winter season because these pollutants remain on the lower surface of the air when moisture increases due to low temperature.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for people in the Punjab to breathe. Due to an increase in the level of air pollution, many cities are in a bad condition. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has crossed 400. AQI 406 (PM 10) was recorded in Bathinda. It is just behind the AQI 454 in Delhi. Although stubble burning at the time of paddy harvesting every year certainly worsens the air quality index, but never before has a city figure risen above four hundred. The air quality index has risen by 129 points in two days in the state.

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

Air pollution will be reduced by 30 to 40 percent by 2024 in 120 cities facing the country's pollution problem. In this, the Union Ministry of Environment will work closely with representatives of the State Pollution Control Board, local bodies of cities and representative institutions. The ministry will provide technology and financial assistance in this campaign.

The reduction in the number of vehicles using the road network is one way to reduce pollution but a difficult one to achieve. Whilst public transport is available, many commuters still prefer the convenience of having the use of their personal vehicle. The government could do more to encourage the drivers to leave the car at home on certain days of the week. Many vehicles on the road are over 15 years old and therefore are not fitted with the latest technology which controls the emissions. Electric vehicles should be encouraged more by the possible use of incentives.

What effect does polluted air in Bathinda have on human health?

Air pollution is certainly not new to the world. You can gauge how big the risk of air pollution is from the fact that around 9 million people worldwide die prematurely due to air pollution annually. Whereas, it is reducing the life of the survivors by three years, on average. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 90 per cent of the world's population is forced to breathe air that is not right from the health point of view.

Air pollution causes respiratory diseases such as COPD. Due to air pollution, bronchial asthma takes extreme form and apart from this, it causes fatigue, headache and anxiety, irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, damage to the nervous system and a general bad effect on the cardiovascular system.