Bhubaneswar: Amid continuous rise in the level of air pollution in several towns of Odisha, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) clarified the air pollution in the winter season is a normal practice and there is no such condition that force people to wear mask like in Delhi.
“Increase in pollution level in Odisha towns is not due to industries, but vehicles, road dust and construction works. The air pollution is due to local factor. There are some construction works near the air quality monitoring station. The pollution level usually increases in winter, but it is not alarming. We have issued city wise action plan, instructing the civic bodies to ensure water sprinkling at construction sites and road sweeping. There is no such condition in Odisha to wear mask. The pollution level will decrease in a day or two,” said K. Murugesan, Member Secretary, SPCB, Odisha .
Seven towns in Odisha recorded a rise in air pollution level.
The urban bodies including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Angul, Balasore, Keonjhar and Talcher- have failed to maintain the national ambient air quality standards fixed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The Air Quality Index (AQI) in these cities crossed 300 mark on January 8, which comes under the very poor category of air quality.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board, AQI between 301 and 400 is regarded as very poor. it causes respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
The AQI in Balasore pipped the National Capital, Delhi which is notorious for its hazardous air quality. While AQI in Delhi was 345, it was 352 in Angul on Monday. Cuttack was the second most polluted city in Odisha with AQI of 340.
The AQI in Bhubaneswar and Balasore touched 334 each. Keonjhar and Talcher witnessed 326 and 304 respectively. Similarly, Rairangpur and Barbil recorded of 300 and 292 respectively.
