Kolkata's Alarming Air Quality: A Public Health Warning

Kolkata's air quality is reaching dangerous levels, with PM2.5 identified as a dominant pollutant. Recent data shows spikes in pollution, pushing the AQI into unhealthy categories. Concerns are rising about severe health impacts, prompting legal action and calls for urgent government intervention to address the crisis.

Kolkata is grappling with deteriorating air quality levels, as PM2.5 continues to be a significant contaminant, according to a West Bengal Pollution Control Board official. The city recorded a concerning Air Quality Index (AQI) of 276, marking it in the 'very unhealthy' range.

In various parts of Kolkata, the AQI was alarmingly high. At Bamanghata, it reached 222, and at Rabindra Bharati University, it was 175. Other regions like Rabindra Sarobar and Victoria Memorial also showed worrisome figures, indicating widespread air pollution across the city.

Environmental advocates, including Somendra Mohan Ghosh, are sounding alarms as pollution levels escalate. A Public Interest Litigation has been filed to declare Kolkata's pollution levels a national health emergency, emphasizing that the city's air quality is far from World Health Organisation (WHO) safety standards. Calls for intervention by the National Green Tribunal underscore the urgent need for government action.

(With inputs from agencies.)