KOLKATA : According to a report published by Centre for Science & Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based public interest research and advocacy organisation. Bengal has the highest air pollution-related deaths among states in the mid socio-demographic index (SDI) segment.
The annual report, released on Monday by former Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur, nearly 40% of air pollution-related deaths in India in 2017 were reported from UP, West Bengal and Maharashtra. Of all states, Bengal’s rank is fourth. According to the SDI classification, however, the state tops its category. Uttar Pradesh is in the low SDI category, while Maharashtra is in the high bracket.
Kolkata’s air quality, in fact, has been particularly poor this winter. On the first day of 2019, the AQI at the air quality monitoring station at Rabindra Bharati University, BT Road, hovered around 500 between midnight and 2am. Thereafter, it had remained close to 400. Even the air quality monitoring station at the Victoria Memorial never dipped below 350.
The latest study revealed that Delhi’s air quality, though poor, was showing definite signs of improvement following steps that had been taken in the wake of increased public consciousness. “A cohesive action from key stakeholders is needed to battle Kolkata’s declining air quality. The 2018 graded action plan for Delhi is a lesson for every city,” said Narain.