Kolkata’s air quality crisis has been spotlighted in Greenpeace India’s latest report, “Beyond North India: NO₂ Pollution and Health Risks in Seven Major Indian Cities”. The report reveals alarming nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels in the city, with Ballygunge recording the highest annual average in 2023, exceeding WHO guidelines for 133 days.
Nitrogen dioxide, primarily emitted by vehicular traffic and fossil fuel combustion, poses severe health risks, including asthma, respiratory irritation, and increased vulnerability to lung diseases. The report warns that prolonged NO₂ exposure endangers Kolkata’s children, who constitute 13% of the population, with a 2015 study linking the pollutant to over 3,200 pediatric asthma cases.
Kolkatafaces a dual challenge. While its bustling economy thrives on urban activity, unchecked vehicular emissions continue to degrade air quality. Enhanced public transportation, including fare-free schemes for women and affordable “Clean Air Concessions,” could encourage citizens to shift away from private vehicles, reducing emissions and improving overall health. Greenpeace India advocates updating the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to match WHO recommendations, alongside investments in hybrid air quality monitoring and a regional approach to pollution management. “The transportation sector remains a key contributor to air pollution. We need sustainable transit systems to protect public health,” urged SelomiGarniak, Climate Justice Campaigner at Greenpeace.