Lucknow, Gorakhpur have most polluted air: UPPCB

Towns of Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and Lucknow (KAVAL) have recorded nearly three times the permissible level of suspended particulate matter (SPM) or particulate matter 10 (PM 10), according to a recent report of the UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB).

Interestingly, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s hometown, Gorakhpur, reported the highest level of air pollution with the SPM level more than three times the permissible limit.

The maximum permissible limit of PM 10 is 100 microgram/cubic meter.

UPPCB reports for the month of March 2019, put the level of pollutants in the air at a shocking 345.81 microgram/cubic meter near the Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA), Gorakhpur, 334.53 microgram/cubic meter at Jal Kal Bhawan and 298.93 microgram/cubic meter at Madan Mohan Malaviya Engineering College (MMMEC), Gorakhpur.

Further, in the five KAVAL towns, state capital Lucknow had the maximum level of SPM recorded at 317.31 microgram/cubic meter at Talkatora, followed by 310.78 microgram/cubic meter at Ansal traffic crossing in Lucknow.

The sixth highest SPM level was recorded at 305.30 microgram/cubic meter at Ramadevi in Kanpur, while Sarai Mali Khan area in Lucknow secured seventh spot as pollution level was measured at 273 microgram/cubic meter.

The report revealed, eight highest SPM or PM 10 level of 268.02 microgram/cubic meter was recorded in Johnstonganj in Prayagraj, while Chandpur in Varanasi secured ninth spot on the list with air pollution level recorded at 266.11 microgram/cubic meter. Prayagraj captured the tenth spot on the list with 260.79 microgram/cubic meter measured in Alopibagh area.

According to UPPCB Allahabad region officer SK Mishra, excessive digging of roads besides constructions on a large scale and vehicular exhaust were contributing immensely to the PM 10 level rising in Sangam city.

City based respiratory expert Dr Ashish Tandon said that the count of patients including children suffering with respiratory disorders was on the rise due to the excessive level of air pollution levels. “Every month, five to six new cases of children between six and 14 years are arriving at my hospital, with the complaint of breathing trouble just because of high air pollution level. The condition of existing patients too is aggravating,” he said.