In a recent appeal to the state’s chief secretary, a prominent green activist has urged the government to intensify efforts to combat night-time air pollution caused by trucks. The activist has recommended deploying additional remote sensing devices (RSDs) at critical locations such as Vidyasagar Setu, Nivedita Setu, Dankuni toll plaza, and Dhulagarh toll plaza to monitor and mitigate emissions from goods vehicles entering Kolkata during the night.
The activist, who has been vocal about environmental issues, emphasised that addressing this form of pollution is pivotal for enhancing Kolkata’s performance in national air quality rankings. The city, along with Howrah and Asansol, has recently been classified among the second-tier cities in terms of air pollution control, a ranking that has sparked significant concern among environmentalists and public health advocates.
In the letter, the activist referenced several judicial directives, including a 2010 ruling by the Calcutta High Court, which mandated the installation of four RSDs across Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas. However, despite this directive, progress has been slow. As of March 2024, only one RSD was operational, with two additional devices installed in April 2024. The activist argues that these measures are insufficient given the high volume of pollution emitted by heavy vehicles. The call for more RSDs reflects growing frustration over the slow pace of implementing pollution control measures. The current situation underscores the need for more robust and immediate action to improve air quality and public health in Kolkata. The activist’s appeal aims to galvanise the state government into taking swift action to address this pressing environmental issue and bring the city’s pollution control efforts in line with judicial expectations and environmental standards.
