Varanasi tops pollution chart second week in a row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency Varanasi was the most polluted city of India on Monday.

According to daily report of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24 hours average of pm 2.5 in Varanasi on Monday was recorded at 438, the highest among 26 cities of the country monitored by the board. 

The four cities of the country that witnessed “severe” level of pollution on Monday were Lucknow (424), Patna (421), Muzaffarpur (425) and Varanasi. The level of pm 2.5 in Delhi was recorded 314. 

“The actual pollution in the middle of the city is more severe than the data provided by the pollution monitoring station as it is situated on the outskirts in Ardhali Bazar. The pollution level in the center of Varanasi like Sigra and Assi Ghat areas is more than the average,” said Ghyanshyam, Regional Officer, Varanasi Region, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board. 

Even if this liberal average data of CPCB shows that the pollution level in Varanasi was severe at pm 2.5 being above 400, from December 22 to 25.

“Ongoing construction activities coupled with rising number of vehicles are the main pollutants in the city. Due to low humidity, low temperature and low wind velocity, the pollutants are not dispersing which is the reason behind continuously severe level of pollution in the city,” he added. The maximum temperature in Varanasi on Monday dropped to 16.4 degree Celsius which was eight points below normal and nine points below the Sunday’s maximum temperature.