7 months ago
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Kolkata’s and Howrah's aerial prime deteriorated sharply connected Kali Puja nighttime arsenic firecrackers were burst beyond the permissible hours of 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., flouting guidelines issued by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) and police, environmentalists said connected Tuesday (October 21, 2025).
A WBPCB authoritative said portion the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 186 astatine Victoria Memorial successful the city, it touched 364 astatine Belur successful Howrah astatine 10 p.m. connected Monday (October 20, 2025).
An AQI betwixt 151 and 200 is considered ‘poor’, 201 to 300 ‘very poor’, and supra 300 is classified arsenic ‘severe’.
At Padmapukur, the AQI work 361, portion it breached the 252 people astatine Ghusuri, some successful Howrah district.
In Kolkata's Ballygunge, the AQI touched 173, portion astatine Jadavpur it was 169 astatine 10 p.m., the PCB authoritative said.
At Rabindra Bharati University successful the Sinthi country successful the bluish portion of the city, the AQI touched 167.
At 8 p.m. connected Monday (October 20, 2025), the AQI was 164 astatine Victoria, 159 (Jadavpur), 117 (Fort William), 161 (Belur Math), 102 (Rabindra Bharati University) and 134 astatine Ballygunge.
Affirming the spurt, the authoritative said they were analysing the results.
Environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh said determination was rampant and predominant usage of sound-emitting firecrackers successful northbound and southbound Kolkata and Howrah since evening.
"From Kashipur, Sinthi, Jorasanko, Maniktala to Kasba, Tollygunge, Regent Park, Behala and Jadavpur, high-decibel firecrackers were burst everywhere. Both constabulary and WBPCB remained specified spectators and failed to curb the merchantability and usage of firecrackers," Mr. Ghosh alleged.
Mr. Ghosh said the concern successful Howrah is worse, and authorities should brace for further worsening of the concern during the post-Kali Puja celebrations connected Tuesday (October 21, 2025).
Naba Dutta of Sabuj Manch, an organisation of environmentalists, besides blamed constabulary and the contamination watchdog for having "failed" to enforce regulations, leaving aged citizens, ailing persons, children and pets exposed to dependable and aerial pollution.
