TNPCB urges public to celebrate ‘smoke-free’ Bhogi

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has appealed to the public to celebrate Bhogi in an environment-friendly manner, by avoiding the burning of plastics, tyres, and other hazardous materials.

In a press release, the TNPCB said Bhogi, celebrated on the eve of the Pongal festival, was traditionally observed by discarding old belongings as a symbol of renewal and transformation. In earlier times, bonfires were lit using natural materials that did not cause environmental pollution.

However, in recent years, the practice has changed, with discarded tyres, plastic goods, rubber tubes and chemically treated paper being burnt on that day.

The TNPCB said such activities release dense black smoke, leading to severe air pollution, health hazards such as eye irritation and sneezing, and even disruption to air and road traffic in cities.

As part of its monitoring efforts, the TNPCB will conduct ambient air quality surveys at 15 locations across Chennai for 24 hours on the day before Bhogi, on Bhogi, and the day after. The collected air quality data will be published on the TNPCB website.