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Time of India
5 days ago
- 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.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Bengal plans 800-km ‘green wall' along Jharkhand border
In an ambitious move to combat pollution, Kalyan Rudra, Chairman of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, announced a project to create an 800-km 'bioshield' — a forested area that would act as a 'Green Wall' — along the Jharkhand border to intercept pollutants entering Bengal. He also highlighted Kolkata's recent recognition as one of the country's cleanest metropolises. The announcements came at a special session, 'Fostering Climate Consciousness — Business and Beyond', hosted by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce on the eve of World Environment Day. The Green Wall will be a green corridor of forest cover along the State's 800-km northwestern border with Jharkhand. The bioshield will start from the Jharkhand border and extend up to Birbhum and Dinajpur districts of West Bengal. The trees will take over a decade to grow. 'We are proceeding in phases,' Mr. Rudra said. 'It will intercept a part of these pollutants entering Bengal. It will take about a decade to grow, but when fully grown... people who go to see the Chinese wall will come to Bengal to see a green wall that we have been able to create.' He also encouraged businesses to participate in this plan. The proposed bioshield, Mr. Rudra said, is part of a larger effort to reduce in-situ pollution and mobilise industry participation in sustainable practices. The panel also underscored Kolkata's recent achievement of being recognised as one of the cleanest metropolises in the country, a result of collaboration between the pollution control board and Kolkata Municipal Corporation. However, Mr. Rudra also recognised that winters in Bengal are marked by heavy air pollution, unlike the relatively clean air during the summer and monsoon seasons. The session on the eve of World Environment Day brought together multiple experts on pollution to emphasise the need for on-ground action and the urgency to implement change beyond symbolic gestures. Swati Nandi Chakraborty, environment consultant, drew attention to the hazards of plastic pollution and the need for bioplastics as a viable, sustainable alternative to combat the rising issue of microplastics and nanoplastics, which are known to impact humans and animals alike. 'We have hardly heard about bioplastics,' she said. 'But they could work hand-in-hand to create a techno-socio-economic response to plastic waste.' Citing the harmful health effects of microplastics, from respiratory issues to gastrointestinal damage, Dr. Nandi called for strict local implementation of plastic regulations and mass advocacy for sustainable materials, including awareness programmes. She also insisted that policy-level changes can help bring about a bigger impact on pollution levels and plastic usage. Aniruddha Mukhopadhyay, Professor in the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Calcutta, highlighted that behaviour change requires community level engagement, especially from students to bring about bigger impact and long-term change. 'New pollution-control technologies are being implemented that are being monitored by regulatory agencies. Regulatory agencies are doing very well in that direction and many more things can be done, and there is a genuine consciousness amongst the common people that it is very important,' Mr Mukhopadhyay said. The experts reiterated that the business community has a pivotal role to play, saying climate conscious business in the contemporary world is crucial for sustainable growth. But the experts also stated that real climate consciousness must extend 'beyond boardrooms' into homes, schools, and streets. As Mr. Rudra reminded, 'No pollution control board or chamber can achieve success alone. It should be a people's movement where every citizen comes forward.'
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.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kolkata among 6 urban centres to get 185 crore as good-AQI grant
1 2 Kolkata: The Union environment ministry has awarded Kolkata the third-highest performance-based incentive in the country, releasing a total grant of Rs 184.5 crore for the financial year 2024–25, after the Kolkata Urban Agglomeration (UA) was recognised as one of India's best-performing cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for significant improvement in ambient air quality. The grant includes Rs 168.8 crore under the Ambient Air Quality Grant and an additional Rs 15.8 crore as a performance-based incentive for achieving measurable reductions in air pollution, specifically in PM10 levels. Along with Kolkata, Asansol also received Rs 5.2 crore as a performance incentive. CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her appreciation on X, stating: "Kolkata again shows the way! The govt of India has awarded majorly three cities, including Kolkata, for significant reduction in PM10 levels and overall air quality index improvement. Grateful to the people of Kolkata for their support. Let's all — citizens and agencies alike — keep up the effort for a cleaner, greener city!" The recognition follows a performance assessment of 48 major Indian cities — 42 Million Plus Cities (MPCs) and six urban agglomerations — carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the environment minister. The evaluation covered improvements in annual average PM10 concentrations and an increase in the number of good air quality days during 2023-24 compared to 2022-23. According to the CPCB data, Kolkata registered a 2.2% reduction in PM10 concentration (from 93 µg/m³ in 2022–23 to 91 µg/m³ in 2023–24). There was an increase in the number of 'good' air quality days, with 351 good days recorded in 2023-24 out of 356 observed days. Kalyan Rudra, chairman of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), credited the success to collaborative efforts. "We actively collaborated with the urban local bodies of six non-attainment cities in Bengal. I particularly congratulate the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for attaining this feat," he said. The recommendation for the grant release was reviewed by the State Level Monitoring and Implementation Committee (SLMIC) before being forwarded to the CPCB. The funds are part of the Fifteenth Finance Commission's Million Plus Challenge Fund, aimed at supporting cities in sustained efforts for cleaner air. Kolkata: The Union environment ministry has awarded Kolkata the third-highest performance-based incentive in the country, releasing a total grant of Rs 184.5 crore for the financial year 2024–25, after the Kolkata Urban Agglomeration (UA) was recognised as one of India's best-performing cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for significant improvement in ambient air quality. The grant includes Rs 168.8 crore under the Ambient Air Quality Grant and an additional Rs 15.8 crore as a performance-based incentive for achieving measurable reductions in air pollution, specifically in PM10 levels. Along with Kolkata, Asansol also received Rs 5.2 crore as a performance incentive. CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her appreciation on X, stating: "Kolkata again shows the way! The govt of India has awarded majorly three cities, including Kolkata, for significant reduction in PM10 levels and overall air quality index improvement. Grateful to the people of Kolkata for their support. Let's all — citizens and agencies alike — keep up the effort for a cleaner, greener city!" The recognition follows a performance assessment of 48 major Indian cities — 42 Million Plus Cities (MPCs) and six urban agglomerations — carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the environment minister. The evaluation covered improvements in annual average PM10 concentrations and an increase in the number of good air quality days during 2023-24 compared to 2022-23. According to the CPCB data, Kolkata registered a 2.2% reduction in PM10 concentration (from 93 µg/m³ in 2022–23 to 91 µg/m³ in 2023–24). There was an increase in the number of 'good' air quality days, with 351 good days recorded in 2023-24 out of 356 observed days. Kalyan Rudra, chairman of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), credited the success to collaborative efforts. "We actively collaborated with the urban local bodies of six non-attainment cities in Bengal. I particularly congratulate the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for attaining this feat," he said. The recommendation for the grant release was reviewed by the State Level Monitoring and Implementation Committee (SLMIC) before being forwarded to the CPCB. The funds are part of the Fifteenth Finance Commission's Million Plus Challenge Fund, aimed at supporting cities in sustained efforts for cleaner air.
