Fog Blankets Punjab Amidst Rising Air Quality Concerns

Thick fog enveloped various cities in Punjab, affecting visibility and raising air quality concerns. Amritsar experienced dense fog, while other cities reported moderate AQI levels. Meanwhile, Punjab’s CM dismissed allegations linking local pollution to Delhi's air quality, crediting reduced stubble burning for improved conditions.

Multiple cities in Punjab awoke to a dense fog blanket on Wednesday, signaling a worsening of air quality, with significant visibility reductions reported. Amritsar was among those heavily affected, as locals acknowledged an increased accident risk on highways due to low visibility.

Jitendra, a resident, told ANI about the dense fog conditions impacting highways, contributing to accidents. Moga also witnessed thick fog, disrupting routine life and making commuting slow and difficult due to poor visibility on roads.

Across Punjab, several cities recorded moderate air quality levels at 8 a.m. Ludhiana's AQI stood at 139, Bathinda at 143, and Patiala at 132, while Rupnagar experienced an AQI of 181. Notably, Amritsar, with an AQI of 100, fell into the 'satisfactory' category, showing slight air pollution improvement compared to other areas.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed connections between Delhi's air quality and conditions in Punjab, asserting that Delhi should independently address its pollution challenges. In a video, Mann emphasized the contrast in AQI levels, highlighting Punjab's improvement in stubble-burning incidents, which he credits to farmers and NGOs' efforts.

CM Mann expressed gratitude toward farmers for significantly decreasing stubble burning by 70-80%, with support from NGOs and government initiatives acknowledged by the Centre. He urged the Delhi government to manage its air quality independently, avoiding politicization involving Punjab.

(With inputs from agencies.)