'Kolkata NO2 level more than WHO limit on 1 in 5 days, highest in Ballygunge'
Times of India | 6 December 2024
KOLKATA: Among Kolkata's seven air quality monitoring stations, Ballygunge last year recorded the highest level of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a toxic gas found abundantly in tailpipe emission, a report by Greenpeace has revealed.
While the city's overall NO₂ level stayed within the WHO standard of 10 g/m³ on 80% of days, it climbed significantly on the remaining days to take the annual average to 28 g/m³. The national standard for NO₂ is 40 g/m³.
The Greenpeace report, titled 'Beyond north India: NO₂ Pollution and Health Risks in Seven Major Indian Cities', ranks Kolkata third among the seven cities in NO₂ concentration. Pune was at the top with 37 g/m³, followed by Jaipur at 36 g/m³.
A toxic gas closely linked to traffic and fuel burning, NO₂ is common in urban areas. Scientific evidence shows long-term NO₂ exposure can lead to lung damage, allergies, increase respiratory mortality, circulatory diseases and heart conditions. Prolonged exposure to high NO₂ levels is particularly harmful for children. A 2019 study by Achakulwisut et al. estimated that NO₂ pollution in Kolkata contributed to 3,210 cases of paediatric asthma in 2015, the report mentions.
Howrah bridge designers in town for health audit
Experts from the UK-based original designers of Howrah bridge-Rendel Ltd (formerly Rendel, Palmer & Triton, UK)-are in town for the health check-up of the iconic structure. They started the inspection of the bridge on Tuesday.
Senior consultant Michael J King, and bridges team leader and assistant technical director Omar Nabeel are an integral part of the health audit, being carried out to ensure long-term durability and safety of the historic bridge, officially called Rabindra Setu.
Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), custodian of Howrah bridge, world's sixth longest cantilever bridge, shut it down on the night of Nov 16 for the first health audit since the 1980s. Railways consultancy RITES, which had conducted the last health audit between 1983 and 1988, is carrying out the job this time, too. The study will go on for the next two months and the report will be submitted by March 2025. "According to the current contract, RITES has engaged Rendel Ltd with critical tasks, such as providing documents relating to the design and drawings, visual inspection, assessment reports, and review of rehabilitation and strengthening proposals of Rabindra Setu," Rathendra Raman, chairman, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, said.
The last such audit for Howrah bridge was initiated in 1983 after the structure served continuously for 40 years. At that time, RITES collaborated with Rendel, Palmer & Triton (M/S RPT), the main designers of the bridge. The study recommended ultrasonic and non-destructive tests, restoration and retrofitting for enhancing the bridge's life. These were executed in the next few years.
The Rendel team on Wednesday had a detailed discussion with the chairman, representatives from RITES and engineers from the port. "The team outlined their findings from the ongoing inspection and shared insights into the bridge's structural condition. The final condition assessment report, vetted by M/s Rendel, may be submitted by the first quarter of 2025," Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port spokesperson Sanjay Mukherjee said. "Based on this report, RITES will propose a comprehensive repair and rehabilitation scheme to strengthen the bridge, securing its legacy for future generations."
The bridge, designed by Rendel, Palmer & Tritton (RPT) of London and fabricated by Braithwaite Burn & Jessop, used 26,500 MT of steel. "The bridge has stood as a symbol of strength and innovation for decades. It will continue to do so in the years to come," Raman said.
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