Heavy festive traffic, construction dust, and falling winter temperatures have pushed Lucknow’s AQI into hazardous levels, with monitoring stations recording AQI readings ranging from 213 to 323.

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report that Lucknow’s air quality index has deteriorated sharply in the days leading up to Diwali. As wind speeds drop and humidity rises, pollutants settle close to the ground, causing the AQI to climb steadily and making the air difficult to breathe across the city.

During the rush of festival preparations, thousands of residents travel across the city, driving up vehicular emissions. This influx has caused severe traffic congestion, keeping vehicles idling in queues and releasing high volumes of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Ongoing construction and roadwork are further worsening air quality. Assessments by CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR) point to construction dust, road digging and the resuspension of loose road dust as major contributors to rising PM2.5 and PM10 levels. The institute also identified Amausi as the most polluted monitoring location in its assessment.

Meanwhile, falling nighttime temperatures, slower wind speeds and unfavourable atmospheric conditions are limiting the dispersion of pollutants. As cooler air settles closer to the ground, vehicular emissions, smoke and dust can remain trapped near the surface, potentially worsening pollution levels.

With baseline pollution already in the 'Poor' category, heavy firecracker usage during Diwali celebrations will push air quality further into hazardous territory. Dense smog and lingering toxic haze will make breathing difficult across the city. Children, senior citizens, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions face the highest health risks.

To ensure compliance with environmental guidelines and curb pollution-related violations, the UPPCB has deployed dedicated field-monitoring teams across the city. These teams will patrol their respective areas and identify violations, including non-compliance with construction-site SOPs and the illegal burning of garbage and stubble.