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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
PCB identifies air pollution hotspots in Kol and beyond
Kolkata: Drawing from long-term data collected through its extensive sensor-based and automatic real-time air quality monitoring network, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) identified several air pollution hotspots across the state. These findings, based on annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 recorded in 2024-25, highlight areas where pollution levels persistently exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). With over 250 ambient air quality monitoring stations installed, now covering all 23 districts of West Bengal, the WBPCB has a robust data map to detect pollution trends, particularly during winter months when air quality typically deteriorates. The annual averages show several areas, including Kolkata and other urban centres, breaching the NAAQS thresholds of 60 µg/m³ for PM10 and 40 µg/m³ for PM2.5. Not surprisingly, Kolkata emerged as the biggest pollution hotspot, driven by multiple contributing factors: high vehicular emissions, thermal power-related pollution, road dust resuspension due to dense traffic, emissions from kitchens — especially among urban poor households lacking access to clean cooking fuel — and open biomass burning, often from landfill sites. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Apart from the six non-attainment cities — Kolkata, Howrah, Haldia, Asansol, Durgapur, and Barrackpore — WBPCB identified several new pollution hotspots, many of them in rural West Bengal. "Many of these new hotspots are emerging in rural areas. We believe there is a qualitative difference in the toxicity of pollutants between urban and rural regions," said Kalyan Rudra, WBPCB chairman adding, "To understand this 'toxicity divide,' we are collaborating with Bengaluru-based think tank CTEP. " In many cases, pollution stems from sources beyond state boundaries. Raniganj, for instance, continues to suffer from coal mine fires that persisted for over 50 years. A similar long-standing fire at the adjacent Jharia coalfield in neighbouring Jharkhand is exacerbating the air quality in both Raniganj and Asansol, indicating the need for inter-state cooperation to address such transboundary pollution. Biomass burning remains a significant source of pollution. According to WBPCB's records for 2024–25, 26,748 cases of open biomass burning (OBB) were identified across West Bengal With clear identification of hotspots, the WBPCB plans to implement targeted, ground-level interventions to reduce pollutant levels in these critical areas and bring them in line with national standards. These efforts include pollution source mitigation, better enforcement, public awareness, and inter-agency collaboration—essential steps to ensure cleaner air for the people of West Bengal.
Indian Express
06-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
West Bengal: Govt to push for eliminating single-use plastics
Facing the challenge of generating a staggering 1,000 tonnes of plastic waste daily, the West Bengal government is stepping up its efforts to combat plastic pollution, with a strong emphasis on eliminating single-use plastics (SUPs) across the state. Initiatives range from installing cloth bag vending machines to imposing complete bans in ecologically sensitive and newly developed tourist destinations. On World Environment Day, Additional Chief Secretary (Department of Environment) Roshini Sen reiterated plans to install subsidized cloth bag vending machines in market areas. 'One can take a cloth bag in exchange for a small amount of money. These bags are highly subsidized and can be used multiple times,' she stated. The government has already successfully declared the Gangasagar Mela a 'full plastic-free mela' and has completely banned plastic bags in ecologically sensitive tourist places like the Sundarbans. Furthermore, plastic is entirely prohibited at the recently inaugurated Digha Jagannath Dham. 'Our aim is to stop Single Use Plastic (SUP) completely,' she said, adding that civic bodies have the directive to impose fines for non-compliance, and the department can 'be a little strict' when necessary. Annually, the state produces 330,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with Kolkata municipal areas alone contributing 400 tonnes per day. 'If we really recycle it well, the same waste can be turned into wealth,' Sen added. The state has registered 30 plastic waste processing units, including facilities in Digha and Dhapa. The ongoing efforts are being conducted under the theme 'Beat Plastic Pollution,' with a specific focus on 'Plastic Waste and Endangered Ecosystem.' State Environment Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, addressing school students, called for their participation in stopping plastic use to save the environment. 'It is important to move ahead and accept modernity, but we must also be cautious of what we are passing on to our next generation. So, be responsible citizens,' she urged. Kalyan Rudra, chairman of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), highlighted the pervasive nature of plastic pollution. He explained that burning plastic below a specific temperature emits harmful gases and cited alarming research findings: 428 plastic particulates are found in every kilogram of dry sediment in the Hooghly River, and the atmosphere contains approximately 5,700 microplastics per cubic meter around each person.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pollutants order changes post Covid pandemic: Cooking, industry emissions on PM2.5 rogue list
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) released a comprehensive report revealing how Kolkata's air pollution sources had significantly shifted in the years following Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis, drawing on two landmark studies — NEERI's pre-pandemic source apportionment study (2019) and TERI's recent post-pandemic study (2025) — shows a perceptible change in sectoral contribution to two key pollutants: PM10 and PM2.5. Significantly, only these two pollutants breach the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). Earlier, releasing the report, Bengal environment minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra, additional chief secretary of the environment department Roshni Sen, former VC of Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) Ajay Roy, and WBPCB member secretary J P Meena emphasised how plastic pollution plays havoc with our lives and biodiversity. WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra declared an award for students for collecting and responsible disposal of plastic wastes through its network of 5,000-plus schools in Bengal. According to the findings, coarse particulate matter (PM10) in the city saw a decrease in dust-related emissions, from a dominant 57.3% in 2019 to 43% in 2025, suggesting possible improvements in street cleaning and construction regulation. However, this was offset by rising contributions from household cooking (from 13.3% to 18%), industry (5.9% to 12%), and vehicular tailpipe emissions (8% to 13%). Notably, refuse burning and secondary sources, which were negligible in 2019, emerged as more prominent contributors in 2025. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which poses graver health risks due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs, now sees an increased contribution from industrial emissions (7% to 21%) and cooking (27.9% to 29%). Dust emissions halved (from 24.7% to 12%), while secondary aerosols — a complex mixture formed through chemical reactions involving vehicle, industrial, and power plant emissions — came into sharp focus, now accounting for 13% of PM2.5. This rise suggests a growing influence of chemical pollutants in the city's atmosphere. The report also notes that while policies such as the introduction of BSVI vehicles and the uptake of electric mobility helped reduce PM2.5 from tailpipes (23.5% to 20%), older vehicle fleets continue to be significant emitters of PM10.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Time of India
Green rule flout: NGT tells PCB to fine HMC
Kolkata: The NGT directed the WBPCB to impose a penalty on Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It also instructed the board to assess environmental compensation for continued violation of environmental laws within two months. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Eastern Bench of the NGT criticised HMC for failing to submit an action taken report on measures it took to manage the Belgachhia landfill, which collapsed earlier this year, and for not preparing a solid waste management plan. The tribunal directed the HMC commissioner to appear before it in virtual mode at the next hearing. The principal secretary or additional chief secretary of the urban development department was instructed to file an affidavit explaining the steps taken for compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The NGT took suo motu cognizance of the TOI report dated March 24, 2025, on the overburdened Howrah dumpyard. Environment activist Subhas Datta was directed to assist the court as an applicant in the matter. "It is evident there is no proper handling, management, processing, and disposal of solid waste within the HMC jurisdiction, and there is flagrant violation of provisions of SWM Rules," the order said.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
PM 2.5 in 2024-25 winter Kolkata's best since 2019
Kolkata: This winter brought a breath of relatively cleaner air to Kolkata, with the city recording its best particulate pollution levels since 2019. Data from a six-year analysis by West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) painted a picture of cautious optimism. Dec 2024 saw the PM2.5 level drop to 73 µg/m³, the lowest in recent years, followed by 77 µg/m³ in Jan 2025. These are the best readings in Kolkata for these months since the beginning of the dataset in 2019. However, even with the notable dip, the PM2.5 concentration during the peak pollution months of Dec and Jan continued to exceed the national safe limit of 40 µg/m³. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less. They are tiny enough to penetrate deep into lungs and enter the bloodstream, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Winter months typically see a spike in PM2.5 due to a combination of lower wind speeds, temperature inversions, and increased emission from vehicles and biomass burning. While the reduction in average concentration levels signals progress — likely driven by stricter vehicular emission norms, cleaner fuels, and increased public awareness — the city is still far from achieving truly breathable air, experts warned. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Her body cannot endure this level of pain; please help her. Donate For Health Learn More Undo The peak pollution year was 2020-21, coinciding with the post-lockdown reopening of industries and transport after the first Covid-19 wave. During that winter, Dec and Jan saw exceptionally high PM2.5 levels of 140 µg/m³ and 131 µg/m³, respectively. Since then, gradual improvement was observed. Summer and monsoon months of April-Sept generally showed cleaner air, aided by factors like rainfall. July recorded the lowest pollution levels across all years, dropping to 13 µg/m³ in 2023-24. However, the summer period appears to have hit a plateau, with no significant air quality gains in recent years. The data highlights that while regulatory efforts and better public awareness seem to be contributing to declining winter pollution, Kolkata's air quality remains vulnerable because of constant construction activities and increasing automobiles. Experts warned that without sustained intervention, like promotion of green transport, clean energy, and emission controls, the progress may be short-lived. "The pandemic gave us a brief moment of cleaner air but the real challenge lies in making those improvements permanent. The transboundary pollution often undoes our clean air efforts, particularly in winter months. Winters still pose health risks, especially for vulnerable populations," said WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra.
