Punjab, Haryana report poor air quality day after Deepavali

Air quality in Haryana and Punjab deteriorated on November 13 after Diwali, with some areas recording AQI greater than 300. Faridabad and Gurugram had AQI of 304 & 351 respectively

Several parts of Haryana reported air quality indices in the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories on Monday (November 13), a day after Deepavali, while it was mostly 'poor' in parts of neighbouring Punjab.

The average air quality recorded in both States was in the 'satisfactory' or the 'moderate' category at 4 p.m. on Sunday, but it showed signs of deterioration on Monday.

According to Central Pollution Control Board data updated at 9 a.m. on Monday, some areas in Faridabad and Gurugram recorded their air quality indices above 300.

In Haryana's Faridabad, the AQI was recorded at 304 in New Industrial Town, 341 in Sector 16-A and 275 in Ballabhgarh. In Gurugram, the AQI was 351 in Sector 51 and 264 in Vikas Sadan.

Kaithal's Rishi Nagar area recorded an AQI of 326, Fatehabad 285, Jind 270, Kurukshetra 263 and Panchkula 183, according to the data.

The data for Punjab showed that Bathinda reported an AQI of 347, Amritsar 257, Jalandhar 262, Ludhiana 268, Patiala 240 and Rupnagar 132.

Authorities in the two states had granted permission to burn only "green crackers" for a restricted period of time on Diwali day.