The air quality of several places in Kolkata and Howrah deteriorated seriously yet again after Chhat Puja, following unrestricted bursting of banned crackers.
The most badly affected area in Kolkata was found to be Taratala, where the air quality index (AQI) touched 304 on Saturday. Ghusuri of Howrah recorded maximum pollution in West Bengal with an AQI of 331.
Other areas in Kolkata and Howrah which witnessed high pollution level were adjoining areas of Rabindra Bharati University (AQI-264), Victoria Memorial (AQI-257), Fort William (AQI-237) and Belur Math (AQI-277). Jadavpur in Kolkata also reported high pollution.
Rabindra Sarobar area in Kolkata touched an AQI of 166, based on the readings taken on Saturday evening. This area has also been a centre of huge controversy for the past few years, as repeated attempts to restrict entry of Chhat devotees have failed. There has been unrestricted bursting of banned firecrackers in the locality which started from late night on Saturday and continued till post dawn on Sunday. Local people and green activists said that police officials could not be found as security personnel tried to stop the devotees from breaking open the locks to the Sarobar premises on Saturday morning.
They barged into the Sarobar breaking open the locks of two gates. Later the main gate was also found open. However, maximum dip in air quality of the area is thought to have happened post Sunday morning. The AQI of Sarobar area may go down further as the later readings taken throughout the day on Sunday are made available.
West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) officials said that the water was also polluted due to the rituals performed, and though it was cleaned up by workers engaged by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
Experts have said that the dissolved oxygen level and biodiversity of the water of Sarobar has suffered much and that the level of damage needs to be assessed on an urgent basis. WBPCB authorities can’t assess the AQI of the Sarobar without a directive from court as the matter of Chhat Puja in Sarobar is under the jurisdiction of court.
[Picture representational]
