While all Eyes Are Set on Delhi, Kolkata Sitting on Ticking Time Bomb of Air Pollution

Abstract

The metropolitan city of Kolkata today is facing challenges of air pollution like never before. With high population density and relatively lower green cover the city is at the verge of being a gas chamber with its AQI ranging between very poor to poor in winter months. Though the problem of air pollution is multifactorial in the city, major source is automobiles. Despite laws vehicles older than 15 years and diesel run vehicles ply uninhibitedly in the city. Also, the energy generation through conventional thermal power plant systems, use of bio fuels by the residents, rapid urbanisation leading to continuous construction activities and constant decrease in number of trees have made the situation further worse. The measures taken by government are slow in pace and insufficient. Though the capital city of India is facing all burnt at the centre stage of pollution, air pollution in Kolkata is less talked about and a relatively neglected issue. Another worrisome fact is that the city has high level of PM 2.5 which can easily enter the blood through lungs. The resulting health issues from such high levels of pollution are rampant and worrisome. Not only that the city has been nicknamed as lung cancer capital of India because of rising number of cancer patients for which air pollution is a major contributor. If timely swift actions are not taken; it will be too late to control the genocide in making.