Air quality in Lucknow degrades due to substantial rise in vehicular emissions, says IITR report

Lucknow, the city you call home, is suffering from consistently bad air quality. It's not just a number on the screen; it's something you can actually smell in the air everywhere you go. The stench of vehicle exhaust hangs heavy, as a constant reminder that the air quality in Lucknow is getting worse.

According to a recent pre-monsoon report from the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), automobiles were identified as the major contributor to the air pollution witnessed during the 2022-2023 period. The report highlighted a concerning 6.3% increase in the number of registered vehicles since 2022.

Reportedly, the pre-monsoon ambient air quality assessment of the city was carried out by the Environment Monitoring Division of the IITR lab of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research).

As part of the comprehensive assessment, the consumption data of petrol and diesel was meticulously gathered from prominent fuel outlets situated within the city of leading fuel companies.

In parallel, a rigorous evaluation of air quality was conducted. This involved measuring the concentrations of respirable suspended particulate matter, fine particulate matter, various gases, as well as traces of lead and nickel. These crucial measurements were taken at nine strategically placed monitoring locations spanning across the city of Lucknow.

In an earnest attempt to address the substantial rise in air pollution and foster awareness among citizens, an advanced 'smart environment monitoring system' has been installed at the Lucknow Junction railway station.

This device which is now operational will share real-time data of not only temperature, humidity, UV radiation level, light intensity, noise level, but also about air quality index including PM 10 and PM 2.5 microscopic matter suspended in air. This is expected to curb the adverse impact of pollution and to enlighten the city's residents about the current harm inflicted upon the environment.