Kanpur, Lucknow most polluted cities in the country

LUCKNOW: Industrial city Kanpur had the most toxic air with Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded as 373. It was followed by Lucknow with AQI 349.

This was the first occasion in the post-monsoon period when Lucknow was the second most polluted city in the country. According to the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air pollution levels jumped by 109 units in Kanpur on November 18, as compared to 264 units on November 17. In Lucknow, AQI increased by 77 units as compared to November 17.

Prof Dhruv Sen Singh, director, Lucknow University, air quality and climate monitoring cell, said, “Pollution levels have remained high in Lucknow and Kanpur owing to manifold increase in construction activities and vehicular load along with shortage of green belt.”