West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) has revealed alarming findings about the sources of air pollution in Kolkata. The updated ‘air pollution source apportionment and atmospheric carrying capacity study’ highlights the significant role non-energy sources such as road dust resuspension, construction dust, refuse burning, landfill fires, and cremation activities play in the city’s escalating pollution levels.
These non-energy contributors account for an overwhelming 83 percent of PM10 and 61 percent of PM2.5 atmospheric pollutants, according to the study. Kolkata, along with five other cities in West Bengal, has been identified as a ‘non-attainment city’ under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The city’s inclusion in this list is based on persistent high levels of particulate matter (PM10) over the past five years. In line with NCAP’s objective to reduce PM10 concentrations by 40 percent by 2026, Kolkata’s pollution levels continue to be a matter of serious concern. The NCAP, launched by the central government in 2019, aims to address the growing threat of air pollution and improve air quality across India.
The study conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) examined the Ground Level Concentrations (GLC) of pollutants at six monitoring sites across Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) areas. Following the guidelines set by the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), the research team found that road dust was the predominant source of PM10 pollution during both winter and summer months. The presence of high silt content in road dust combined with heavy traffic has exacerbated the city’s air quality woes.
Other significant sources contributing to particulate matter include coal and biomass burning in residential households and eateries. These activities were responsible for 18 percent of the annual PM10 emissions, with a more considerable impact on the city’s PM2.5 levels, accounting for 29 percent. These findings underscore the stark contrast between the pollution profiles of industrial emissions and more localized, everyday human activities that continue to deteriorate air quality. While vehicular emissions, responsible for around 20 percent of PM2.5 pollution, remain a key contributor to the city’s air quality crisis, it is clear that localised pollution sources like construction dust, waste burning, and cremation activities play a much larger role than previously acknowledged. The study’s estimates reveal that pollutants in the central regions of Kolkata, particularly around busy traffic hubs and slum areas, are significantly higher due to the density of traffic and solid fuel use for cooking.
The ongoing problem is compounded by the alarming rise in incidents of open burning, particularly from construction debris and refuse, which continues to be a major concern for both environmentalists and public health officials. Furthermore, cremation activities in the city also contribute to atmospheric pollution, adding another layer to the city’s complex air quality issue. Local residents and civic activists are increasingly vocal about the failure of authorities to address the root causes of air pollution. Many experts have raised concerns about the long-term health effects of such widespread pollution, particularly in densely populated areas where particulate matter levels are consistently high. “The effects of these pollutants on respiratory health, especially among children and the elderly, cannot be overstated,” said an environmental official involved in the study.
The study further suggested that the KMC area, particularly the central zone, faced higher pollution levels due to factors such as high traffic density and residential cooking using solid fuels. In these areas, the air quality monitoring stations recorded significantly elevated levels of particulate matter, underlining the need for targeted interventions in local communities and traffic hubs. Experts have called for urgent action to mitigate the adverse effects of non-energy pollution sources in Kolkata. To achieve the 40 percent reduction target set by NCAP, authorities will need to focus on enhancing air quality monitoring and enforcing stricter regulations on construction dust, waste burning, and vehicle emissions. A collaborative effort between municipal authorities, environmental agencies, and local communities will be necessary to reduce the harmful impacts of these pollutants on public health and the environment.
Kolkata’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing both traditional and non-traditional sources of pollution in urban planning. While energy-related pollution from vehicles and industries continues to dominate air quality discussions, this study has emphasised the growing need to tackle the less-visible but equally damaging sources of particulate pollution. As cities across India work towards cleaner, greener futures, the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to air pollution control becomes more urgent than ever.
Non-Energy Sources Top Air Pollution Causes in Kolkata
