The government of West Bengal has amplified its call for a greater allocation of funds to combat air pollution, particularly in Kolkata and across the state, emphasising the critical impact of trans-boundary pollution during winter months.
The state, situated along the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) valley, experiences the adverse effects of polluted air migrating from northern regions towards the east and south, necessitating urgent and comprehensive measures for pollution mitigation. This pressing issue was prominently addressed during a recent meeting held in Lucknow, focusing on regional airshed management within the Indo-Gangetic Plain, facilitated by the World Bank. Experts in attendance, including Kalyan Rudra, Chairman of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, and Mukesh Sharma from IIT-Kanpur, underscored the imperative shift towards region-specific action plans to combat air pollution effectively. They emphasised the significance of quantifying pollutants’ movement across geographical boundaries to develop targeted intervention strategies.
A noteworthy development highlighted during the meeting was the Central Pollution Control Board’s adoption of two pivotal changes in air quality management within IGP cities. Firstly, the transition from city-specific control efforts to region-specific airshed management spanning the expansive 7 lakh sq km area of the IGP. Secondly, a heightened focus on PM2.5, identified as the most hazardous pollutant, underscores the urgency of addressing air quality concerns at a regional level. Experts analysing pollution data revealed that Uttar Pradesh emerges as the largest contributor to pollution within the Indo-Gangetic Plain, accounting for 39% of emissions, followed by Punjab (19%), Bihar (17%), West Bengal (13%), and Haryana (11%). With more than one-third of India’s population residing in the IGP, urgent intervention is imperative to mitigate the adverse effects of pollution on public health and environmental well-being.
The emission inventory of the IGP highlights industry as the primary contributor to pollution (32%), followed by domestic emissions (27%), open burning (23%), and road dust (14%). Despite vehicular emissions constituting a minor share of overall pollution (2%), the per-area emission from the transport sector remains disproportionately high in metropolitan areas. West Bengal’s advocacy for increased funding to combat trans-boundary pollution underscores the state’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges and safeguarding public health. Enhanced financial support is pivotal in implementing robust pollution control measures and fostering sustainable development across the region.
