Agartala Records Drastic Dip in Pollution Levels amid Coronavirus Lockdown

Agartala, April 18, 2020:

The heavy restrictions imposed on plying of vehicles and venturing out unnecessarily seem to have brought some respite to nature in Tripura's capital city Agartala. According to a study conducted by the Tripura Pollution Control Board, pollution levels in both air and water have plummeted dramatically during the lockdown period.

According to the study, the AQI (Air Quality Index) decreased by 41.5 percent in Agartala. The AQI that usually hovers near 147.4 in regular times has fallen to 96.83 during the lockdown period. The sudden fall of AQI also improved the air quality rank.

“The Air Quality Index in Agartala as per records ranks moderate quality whereas this decrease has improved the rank to satisfactory”, an expert in this field said.

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Speaking to this reporter, a highly placed source in the state’s pollution control board revealed that they had initiated the study as soon as the lockdown had been clamped to check whether nature was being impacted due to vehicular pollution in the city.

"The study has been conducted to understand the comparative levels of pollution during lockdown and without the lockdown. The study continued for 25 days—from March 15 to April 10 last”, the source said.

As far as the water quality is concern, the study is still to be completed but apparently, there has been decrease in BOD (Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand) level.

“It is relevant to mention here that the river water quality of major ten rivers are being monitored in monthly basis. The monthly analysis report revealed that the BOD level of all the ten rivers were within standard limits (3mg/l). Based on the analysis of some water samples implies that the Bio-chemicla Oxygen Demand values some river water are within prescribes standard limit and slightly reduced the values before lockdown time”, the report reads.

The report also included the health related problems that might appear with the air pollution level. “The moderate air pollution level may result in breathing discomforts to people with lung and heart diseases but the satisfactory level of air pollution will only wield impact on very sensitive people”, the source told this reporter in the condition of anonymity.

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