Agartala: Tripura State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) on Tuesday attributed a sharp deterioration in Agartala’s air quality on Monday to firecrackers burst during Laxmi Puja celebrations the previous night.The decline had raised questions about Agartala’s reputation as one of India’s cleanest cities. Following the release of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, concern spread across the state, with critics blaming govt for uncontrolled development and environmental degradation.The CPCB’s daily air quality bulletin showed Agartala recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 264 on Monday — the highest among the 13 Indian cities monitored that day. An AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as “poor” under CPCB standards. Prolonged exposure to such levels can cause respiratory discomfort, with children, older people and those with asthma, heart disease or other health conditions facing greater risks.A senior TSPCB official said the poor air quality recorded in Agartala on Monday morning was caused by firecrackers burst during Laxmi Puja celebrations, which continued until dawn.The official said Tripura’s Sharad festival began on Oct 17 and concluded with Laxmi Puja on Oct 26. The AQI on Oct 25 was recorded at 152, while the reading on the following morning was 114, the official said.“Smoke from firecrackers burst on the night of Oct 25 became trapped in the lower atmosphere because of fog, causing air quality to deteriorate. As daylight increased and sunshine improved, conditions improved,” the official said.
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