Kolkata Requires a Regional Airshed to Tackle Air Quality Issues During Winter: Research Findings
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Kolkata, Nov 27 (NationPress) Kolkata requires a 'regional airshed' to effectively combat the severe drops in the Air Quality Index (AQI), especially during the winter months, as indicated by a recent study titled 'Designating Airsheds in India for Urban and Regional Air Quality Management', published in MDPI’s Air journal.
The study recommends partitioning India into 15 regional airsheds, each specifically designed to address the unique climatic and pollution profiles of different areas. It further suggests that managing these regional airsheds could significantly aid Kolkata in reducing pollution from external sources, thus promoting cleaner and healthier air for its inhabitants.
An airshed refers to a geographical region where air quality is monitored and managed collectively. This concept acknowledges that air pollution transcends city and state boundaries, necessitating collaborative pollution management efforts among cities, states, and even adjacent countries.
Dr. Sarath Guttikunda, the lead author of the study, noted that Kolkata could reap substantial advantages by managing pollution in its vicinity, such as implementing policies to reduce vehicular emissions, which are interlinked with activities across the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain.
“Effective coordination in pollution management between Kolkata and other significant regions in the IGP could establish a beneficial feedback loop, improving air quality and health outcomes across the entire airshed,” Guttikunda remarked.
The findings indicate that Kolkata's air quality deteriorates markedly during winter, influenced by a mix of meteorological conditions and pollution sources from both within and outside the city, including traffic pollution.
Data collected in mid-January of 2024 revealed that the AQI in Kolkata fluctuated between 'unhealthy' and 'very unhealthy' categories, posing a serious health risk, especially for vulnerable populations, highlighting the urgent need for measures to enhance the city’s air quality.
The study identifies the 15 proposed regional airsheds including two for the Himalayas, four for Gangetic Plains, four for plateaus, one for arid or desert regions, three for coastal plains, and one for islands.
