Study on pollution source gets tangled in red tape

KOLKATA: The source apportionment study on air pollution in Kolkata and Howrah has been delayed due to red tape, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) has said in a reply to an RTI filed by a green action group. The revelation comes at a time when the city is struggling to deal with the worst-ever air pollution with the civic authority and the state doing precious little to address the situation.

The study to find out which source contributes how much to the pollution was entrusted to the National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) by WBPCB in November 2017. The report is critical to devise a mitigation plan as pollution from different sources have to be prioritised and addressed according to their contribution to the overall pie.

The two-year study has, however, been delayed by at least six months due to “lack of inter-departmental coordination”, the WBPCB has replied to the RTI filed by Legal Initiative For Forest And Environment (LIFE). The RTI had been filed on August 9, 2018. The RTI reply further stated that the emission inventory will be completed by August 2018 and the draft report preparation will be done by December 2018.

“For the past month and a half, Kolkata and Howrah AQI is in the range of 250 to 450 (on an average), which interprets the air quality as ‘poor’, ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ and which could have subsequent health impacts ranging from ‘breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure’ and ‘respiratory illness on prolonged exposure’. It can also affect healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases. And here we have departments stonewalling attempts by NEERI to get data so that they can prepare a report that can lead to an action plan to reduce pollution,” said LIFE analyst Kankana Das.

The eastern zonal bench of NGT had in August 2016 (order in the matter of Subhas Dutta Vs State of West Bengal and Ors - OA No. 33/2014/EZ) directed WBPCB to initiate a source apportionment study to collect and generate data on contribution of various sources of pollution at important areas in Kolkata and Howrah in order to formulate strategy and to evolve with long-term air quality management plan to combat air pollution.

A WBPCB official expressed frustration with the way various government agencies had stalled release of data and at times displayed non-cooperation in aiding the vital study despite repeated requests from the PCB chairman and even the environment secretary.

“Kolkata Municipal Corporation was very helpful, but Howrah Municipal Corporation has refused to provide data. Even the WBPCB’s persuation failed to make them cooperate. The report on Kolkata will therefore be more accurate while that on Howrah will not,” the official said.

NEERI has till now submitted a one-year progress report on summer 2017 air quality data and analysis. A second twoyear report has been submitted on winter 2017 air quality and the source apportionment study as well as the emmission inventory study. A third and final report is currently under way on winter source apportionment and plugging the gaps in emission inventory report.