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Indian Express
21 hours ago
- 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
a day 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.
Time of India
4 days ago
- 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.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Relief from jarring rides: Kolkata lifeline to get mastic asphalt coat
Kolkata: After the along SP Mukherjee Road, (KMC) is now set to relay the thoroughfare with keeping in mind the motorists' woes during the monsoon. The mastic asphalt will be transported through a special thermal container from a mastic asphalt plant in Rajarhat. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This exercise is being followed as per WBPCB guidelines. "We have asked the agency concerned to transport mastic asphalt through a thermal container to abide by WBPCB guidelines," said a KMC roads department official. The road restoration work will be taken up in two phases. First, the civic body will relay the stretch between Hazra and Rashbehari intersection. After completing this stretch, the KMC roads department will proceed with the restoration of the stretch between Rashbehari crossing and Tollygunge rail bridge. According to a civic official, KMC has selected a private firm through an e-tender and now needs to issue a work order for the project, the cost of which is estimated at Rs 18 crore. A proposal to give SP Mukherjee Road a healing touch was passed at a recent mayor-in-council meeting and subsequently in the KMC monthly meeting. According to a KMC roads department official, major stretches of the arterial road need restoration as hurried repairs in the past have made SP Mukherjee Road a motorist's nightmare. The roads department has also proposed a special plan for the concretisation of a 1km stretch on the flank that leads to Rashbehari crossing from Hazra. The stretch where the KMC's water booster pumping station is located will be specially paved. At present, this segment develops craters frequently due to water seepage. Indiscriminate digging followed by unscientific repair is also one of the reasons why motorists suffer bumpy rides on SP Mukherjee Road, conceded a KMC roads department senior official. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now SP Mukherjee Road, along with Asutosh Mukherjee Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, and Chittaranjan Avenue, is a crucial alignment that connects Tollygunge in the south with Bagbazar in the north. "Since SP Mukherjee Road has become cratered, many motorists now prefer taking the narrow Sadananda Road and Pratapaditya Road. Now, if we are assured of a smooth ride, we may take SP Mukherjee Road more often," said Debasish Das, a Mudiali resident.
