Katra & Ashok Nagar were most toxic localities in October

Allahabad: Katra’s air quality was one of the worst in the city in October, according to UP Pollution Control Board.

With an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 565, the wholesale market’s air was in the‘severe’ category during the entire month. As per the AQI, a reading between above 400 is ‘severe’, between 301-400 is ‘very poor’, between 201- 300 is ‘poor’ and ‘good’ if the reading is below 50.

“In October, Katra’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reading was the highest at 565, followed by Ashok Nagar (458), Rambagh (423), Alopibagh (415.28) and Johnstonganj (401.79),” said UP Pollution Control Board regional officer JB Singh.

“However, residents need not worry because despite high AQI, the content of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitorgen dioxide (NO2) is well within the permissible limits,” he added. As the city continues to reel under smog, the sale of masks has picked up substantially.

Owing to the gradual deterioration in the quality of air, city wholesalers selling masks along with other surgical instruments, are receiving heavy demand.

“The demand has shot up from 50-150 masks per day to 600-700 masks per day in a fortnight,” said Neeraj Purwar, owner of a wholesale shop in Chowk. Not only the ordinary masks but also ones costing around Rs 800-900 per piece, are witnessing good sale.

“Couple of years ago, we sold only simple masks worth Rs 10 per piece, but now many residents specifically ask for the expensive N99 category masks which shield them against toxic air,” said Rohit, a medical store owner at Balson crossing. City wholesalers are struggling to meet the heavy demand as their suppliers, mostly from National Capital Region (NCR), are themselves unable to cater to the demand of local market, let alone cities of UP.

“Presently, we are selling these masks at a rate of Rs 50-80, but the prices may rise if the situation continues to remain the same,” said a retailer in Katra market.