Monalisa Patsani
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 5: Levels of air pollution have not been alarming in the state capital if compared to other big cities from Orissa, but experts say the city, far from becoming complacent, needs to take urgent preventive measures to ensure its residents are not subjected to high levels of air pollutants.
Surveys and studies on pollution levels across Indian cities are generally favourable towards the capital city. A study done a few months ago by the Centre for Science and Environment on air pollution across India said Bhubaneswar fared better than other Tier-II cities such as Lucknow, Raipur, Ludhiana, Indore, Thane, Vizag and Bhopal.
The institution also monitored 12 cities across Orissa and found that Angul, Talcher, Rourkela, and Cuttack are more polluted than Bhubaneswar. Industrial pollution was attributed as the prime cause of pollution.
However, vehicular pollution remains a major concern in the capital city. “Vehicular pollution is more prominent in Bhubaneswar than other cities of the state. Out of nine cities monitored in Orissa, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Balasore were found to have high levels of PM10, a tiny particle pollutant that goes deep into the lungs which is very harmful”, said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE.
Despite a majority of people in Bhubaneswar preferring to walk, cycle or choose public transport than own personal vehicles, the dependency on cars and other vehicles is on the rise in the city due to which air pollution is increasing. “It is good for the city that around 60 per cent of people travel by public transport, cycling, walking and other sustainable modes of transport. The six per cent of car users is a threat to the city’s pollution levels,” Roychowdhury said.
SN Patro, president of Orissa Environment Society agrees with Roychowdhury. “The rise in temperature in the capital is proof of the damage that air pollution is causing. Besides vehicular pollution, solid waste dumping which releases methane and oxides of nitrogen, carbon and sulphur are also major air pollutants. Water-logging, deforestation, and burning of waste are also major concerns,” Patro said.