A Study on Air Quality Index (AQI) of Bengaluru, Karnataka during Lockdown Period to Combat Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19): Air Quality Turns ‘Better’ from ‘Hazardous’
Yogendra Kambalagere
Abstract
Bengaluru, which is popularly called the Silicon Valley of India for being a major IT hub. Bengaluru has grown in size and population recently due to growth of industries. This rapid growth and related activities has badly affected air quality. Bangalore has ranked second in the list of most polluted cities in India as far as air pollution is concerned. This Garden City has 14% of school-going children suffering because of air pollution, 58% of outdoor air pollution-related premature deaths were due to heart disease and strokes, while 18% of deaths were due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute lower respiratory infections respectively, and 6% of deaths were due to lung cancer. Addressing air pollution- is key to protecting public health. ‘The National Air Quality Index’ (AQI), a metric to report daily air quality as ‘One Number- One Colour-One Description’ for the common man to judge the air quality, launched by the government of India as an initiative under ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Thousands of suspected cases have been tested resulting in more than 2,500 confirmed coronavirus cases in India. The Indian government has announced a number of preventive measures to minimise the entry and spread of coronavirus. India’s Prime Minister has appealed to people to avoid mass gatherings. A 21-day lockdown across the country was imposed from 25th March, 2020 to 14th April, 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. All factories, schools, colleges, offices and transportation services have been closed except essential services. The objective of this study is to study the AQI trend in Bengaluru during lockdown period. Data has been obtained from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) website and used for analysis without any modification. AQI of Bengaluru turned ‘better’ from ‘hazardous’ within 24 hours after imposing lockdown.