Bengaluru’s air quality 98% better than last Deepavali, but noise pollution rises: KSPCB
Bengaluru: Bengaluru witnessed a significant improvement in air quality this Deepavali, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) showing a 98 percent improvement compared to last year’s festival and a 7 percent dip compared to normal days, according to data from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
However, the city saw a noticeable increase in noise pollution levels during the festivities, as reported by Deccan Herald on Wednesday.
Monitoring stations at Majestic and Mysuru Road recorded AQI levels of 104 and 109, respectively — both slightly above the threshold considered safe.
Peenya saw a 52 percent rise in air pollution compared to pre-Deepavali levels, while Hoskote and Dasarahalli also recorded higher readings. In contrast, AQI showed improvement at stations in Mysuru Road, Hombegowda Nagar, Jayanagar, Hebbal and Silk Board Junction.
Officials attributed the better air quality to reduced traffic congestion, as many Bengaluru residents left the city to celebrate the festival in their hometowns.
Despite the improvement, AQI readings above 100 remain a concern, especially for individuals with lung or heart ailments, as well as among children and older adults.
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Rupee falls 9 paise to all-time low of 90.58 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): Rupee depreciated 9 paise to an all-time low of 90.58 against US dollar in early trade on Monday, weighed down by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and persistent foreign fund outflows.
Forex traders said rupee is trading with a negative bias as investors are in wait and watch mode and awaiting cues from the India-US trade deal front.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 90.53 against the US dollar, then fell further to an all-time intraday low of 90.58 against the greenback, registering a fall of 9 paise over its previous close.
On Friday, the rupee had slipped 17 paise to close at an all-time low of 90.49 against the American currency.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.05 per cent lower at 98.35.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.52 per cent at USD 61.44 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex was trading 298.86 points lower at 84,968.80, while the Nifty was down 121.40 points at 25,925.55.
Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth Rs 1,114.22 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
"FPIs continue to be in selling mode in equity and debt while RBI has been selling dollars to fund their long positions," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
