GUWAHATI, Nov 15 - With citizens flouting the ban on firecrackers for the second consecutive day today, the city�s air quality continued to deteriorate.
On Sunday, the AQI (air quality index) was pegged at 173 which is categorized as �moderate�.
According to experts, a �moderate� AQI may cause breathing discomfort to the people with lung, asthma and heart diseases.
On November 13 the AQI in the city was 117 and yesterday, it rose to 120.
On November 6 last, the AQI in the city was 265 which is �poor� and may cause breathing discomfort to most people.
Bursting of firecrackers was reported from many parts of the city even on Sunday, even though the administration claimed that steps were being taken to enforce the ban.
Unscrupulous traders continued to sell crackers, including high-sounding ones, despite the ban by PCBA.
On the basis of an NGT order, the PCBA has banned all kinds of firecrackers in Guwahati and has allowed only green crackers in other places of the State.