While the country is debating the air choking the national capital of Delhi, Kolkata’s air quality has worsened than the NCR. While penning this article, Kolkata’s AQI stands at 330 near Esplanade, termed as ‘very poor’, according to Apple Weather. At the same time, New Delhi’s air quality index recorded 249, which falls under the ‘poor’ category.
Influencer calls city air quality a ‘health emergency’
Popular Instagram influencer Saheli Chatterjee (@sahelichatterjeehere) posted a video on the platform Wednesday morning, calling Kolkata’s high AQI a ‘health emergency.’ “Kolkata’s AQI hit 450 plus last night, but no one is talking about it. This situation is much worse than Delhi. However, the worst part is not even the pollution here, but the sheer lack of awareness in people,” Chatterjee said. She added, “Children are playing in playgrounds in flocks, and they are destroying their lungs. People are going out to work because this is a luxury they cannot afford to discuss.”
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Environmental technologist calls out negligence
Environmental technologist Somendra Mohan Ghosh noted that four unchecked sources of pollution are responsible for the worsening air quality around the Maidan area of the city, while speaking to IANS. Ghosh pointed to several major factors which are contributing to Kolkata’s air pollution. He cited the burning of biomass, metro construction, running of old vehicles and the constant burning of coal and firewood by roadside food stalls as the reasons behind this degradation.
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"Construction is underway around Victoria Memorial, but metro rail authorities have not adopted eco-friendly practices. Regular water-sprinkling should have been carried out to settle dust. Similarly, it is the state government's responsibility to restrict old diesel vehicles on the Maa flyover. Dust emissions from these vehicles are settling over the Maidan and creating a pollution bubble," Somendra Mohan Ghosh told IANS.
"Sprinkling water on trees around Victoria Memorial will help them trap more dust during winter, preventing it from circulating freely. Special attention is needed because high pollution levels pose health risks to patients at the nearby SSKM Hospital. Moreover, Victoria Memorial is a heritage precinct that must be protected," Ghosh added.
