Kolkata: Kolkata has been ranked 12 in the list of 20 million-plus cities in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) as far as PM2.5 concentration is concerned in April 2024. Asansol was ranked second and Durgapur fourth in the list prepared by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) after analysing PM2.5 concentration data of Central Pollution Control Board’s real-time ambient air quality monitoring stations in the IGP.
IGP is considered to be the worst polluted region in the world with the highest concentration of human population. Patna led the list, Delhi was in fifth position while Varanasi emerged as the cleanest.
Fine particles (PM2.5) pose the greatest health risk. They can get deep into lungs and some may even get into the bloodstream, affecting a person’s lungs and heart.
However, in April 2024, there was a noticeable improvement in air quality, with 65 cities falling within the ‘Good’ category, indicating a significant increase from March. The number of cities in the ‘Satisfactory’ category decreased to 150. The count of cities in the ‘Moderate’ category also decreased to 33, but there was a notable increase in the number of cities classified as ‘Poor’, with six cities. Also, only one city was under the ‘Very Poor’ category, said Sunil Dahiya of CREA.
In March 2024, 163 cities fell within the ‘Satisfactory’ category, with 49 cities in the ‘Moderate’ category. Additionally, there were 43 cities in the ‘Good’ category. There was one city each classified as ‘Poor’ and ‘Very Poor’.
While Kolkata’s PM2.5 concentration of 41 µg/m3 is well under the NAAQS, Asansol at 92 and Durgapur at 88 µg/m3 remain a cause for worry for West Bengal Pollution Control Board. “There was some environmental mismanagement there,” said a senior WBPCB officer.