The monsoon has just bid farewell to South Bengal. Even as the month of Ashwin is about to end, winter's touch has not yet arrived. As a result, shawls and blankets have not been brought out. Yet. as the dawn breaks, the roads and streets of Howrah city are getting covered in dense fog. Local residents are witnessing this kind of fog in the morning in areas like Kona Expressway, Andul Road, Liluah, Santragachi, Belilious Road and Shibpur.
Drivers are getting disoriented after suddenly finding themselves in the fog. Seeing this, one might think that winter has arrived early in Howrah. However, weather department officials are saying that this has no connection with winter. Their apprehension is that this is probably happening due to an excessive increase in the presence of dust particles in Howrah's air.
Sandip Adhikari, a resident of Kona High Road, says, "A few days ago when I went out for a morning walk, I saw that the road was covered in fog. Nothing could be seen around. Just like what we see in winter. The heat has not reduced yet. I have to sleep with the fan on at night. Seeing so much fog in the middle of all this, I was quite alarmed."
Howrah city has made headlines many times for air pollution. Howrah is among the five most polluted cities in the state. Doctors are saying that in the last few years, respiratory problems, allergies and asthma have increased significantly in Howrah. The main reason for this is excessive air pollution. According to experts, the amount of dust particles in Howrah's air is increasing due to irregular road cleaning and inadequate waste management. Its impact will not remain limited to Howrah alone – in the future, Kolkata will also feel its effects.
Environmental activist Subhash Dutta is saying that the biggest problem of Howrah city is road dust. The level of dust particles in the air is increasing due to construction work throughout the city, demolition of old buildings and improper road cleaning. He said, "According to natural rules, the air becomes a bit heavier at the beginning of winter. As a result, dust particles can no longer rise upward. That's why such fog is created. Behind this, humans have a greater role than nature's contribution. The reason is that we have not been able to properly control the sources of dust."
A senior official of the state environment department has said that Howrah municipality has already been alerted due to the increase in the amount of dust particles in the air. The municipality has been asked to take necessary steps to bring the amount of dust particles in the air under control. This includes regular cleaning of road debris, taking precautions in house demolition and using sprinkler machines. Money has also been allocated for this.
Following the advice of the Pollution Control Board, municipal authorities have decided to use automatic sweeping machines to reduce dust on major roads in Howrah city. As the municipality does not have skilled workers to operate sweeping machines, professional agencies will be hired. New compactor stations will be created for garbage removal work. One of them will be built at the State Transport Corporation garage under the Second Hooghly Bridge. Another one is being built in front of the KPT quarters at the mouth of Howrah Bridge. Among all the old battery-operated vehicles (tippers) that were used for carrying garbage, 17 vehicles have broken down. Those are being repaired.
