8 months ago
Advocate Criticizes State Pollution Board on Kolkata AQI
An advocate named Akash Sharma criticized the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) for not properly addressing the air pollution problem in Kolkata and Howrah.
Instead of taking responsibility, the Board shared links and passed the blame to other departments.
Sharma said that clean air is a basic right and that the Board needs to take real action, not just give advice and run awareness programs.
The Board replied that they are working on plans and studies to improve air quality, but Sharma thinks they are not doing enough.
The Board mentioned that they are doing research and working with other groups to make the air cleaner, but Sharma believes they need to be more accountable and take stronger steps to fix the problem.
Advocate Akash Sharma criticized the WBPCB for deflecting responsibility on Kolkata's air quality issues.
WBPCB's response included references to ongoing research, studies, and guidelines but did not address accountability directly.
Sharma argued that clean air is a constitutional mandate and enforceable action is needed, not just advisories.
The Board mentioned implementing a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and completing studies for non-attainment cities.
Sharma highlighted that pollution levels in Kolkata and Howrah remain poor, with a rise in respiratory illnesses.
- Who
- Akash Sharma, advocate; West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB)
- What
- Criticism of WBPCB's response to air quality concerns in Kolkata and Howrah
- Where
- Kolkata, Howrah, and other non-attainment cities in West Bengal
- When
- Thursday (specific date not mentioned)
- Why
- Persistent degradation of air quality and lack of enforceable action
Key facts
- Advocate
- Akash Sharma
- Board
- West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB)
- Cities
- Kolkata, Howrah, Barrackpore, Haldia, Asansol, Durgapur
- Action Plan
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
- Studies Completed
- Source apportionment, emission inventory, carrying capacity studies
- Awareness Programs
- Mission LIFE for sustainable practices
- Regulatory Deflection
- Sharma's criticism of WBPCB's response
- Constitutional Mandate
- Clean air as a fundamental right
Quotes
Naba Dutta
Environmentalist and activist
“There are many reasons for this rise in pollution. There is construction going on all over the city and rules are flouted. All the things which need to be done, like planting trees and having water bodies, are not being done. We have seen that in the name of development, private individuals and the government have cut trees and several water bodies have been illegally filled.”
indianexpress.com
“In order to reduce the pollution, there is spraying of water on the roads (as a measure), but that is hardly done.”
indianexpress.com
Dr. Kalyan Rudra
Chairman of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board
“In Victoria, the pollution level is high now due to the metro work. But a rise in AQI is due to several factors like if there is less wind speed, low temperature and meteorological factors.”
indianexpress.com
Dr. Swati Nandi Chakraborty
Environmental scientist
“This is a climate disaster. The climate conditions are deteriorating mainly due to greenhouse. We are seeing that the temperatures and humidity are fluctuating. The carbon in the air is high and it has been noticed that at night, there is not much dew. All this is causing a rise in pollution. The lower the temperature, the higher the pollution level.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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