Kolkata and Howrah Authorities Take Steps to Tackle Growing Pollution Concerns
Authorities in Kolkata and Howrah are ramping up efforts to address rising air pollution in the cities. Reports have identified smoke from roadside stalls, emissions from vehicles, and dust from construction materials as major contributors to worsening air quality. To prevent the situation from escalating to Delhi-like levels, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has taken decisive action.
On Monday, an emergency meeting on pollution control was convened at the KMC headquarters, led by Mayor Firhad Hakim. Key officials, including Kolkata Municipal Commissioner Dhaval Jain, West Bengal Pollution Control Board Chairman Kalyan Rudra, and representatives from the transport department and Kolkata Police, attended the meeting.
Smokeless Stoves for Slum Dwellers
One of the significant steps discussed was distributing smokeless stoves to reduce emissions from traditional wood-fired stoves. In its initial phase, the project aims to provide 1,500 smokeless stoves to families living in 16 slum areas of Kolkata. Mayor Hakim stated that this initiative will help improve air quality in densely populated areas while enhancing the health of residents.
Action Against Polluting Vehicles
Pollution Control Board and Kolkata Police will jointly crack down on polluting vehicles, especially those running on substandard fuel, such as cut oil. Specific concerns were raised about three-wheeler vans in New Town and Rajarhat areas contributing significantly to air pollution.
Curbing Single-Use Plastic Production
The meeting emphasized strict measures against single-use plastic production. The pollution control board plans to introduce an alarm system that will notify officials if single-use plastic is being manufactured at any facility. This will ensure immediate action to curb the environmental impact.
Emergency Helpline for Pollution Complaints
To empower citizens, authorities plan to launch a dedicated pollution complaint helpline. Similar to Kolkata Police’s 100-dial service, this helpline will enable residents to report pollution-related grievances via call or SMS.
Mayor’s Statement on Pollution Control
Mayor Firhad Hakim highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are actively working on plans to control air pollution. During winter, cold winds from Howrah carry fine dust particles into Kolkata, worsening the air quality.” He added, “Strict action is being taken to ensure vehicles and factories adhere to pollution norms.”