PCB identifies air pollution hotspots in Kol and beyond
These findings, based on annual average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 recorded in 2024-25, highlight areas where pollution levels persistently exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
With over 250 ambient air quality monitoring stations installed, now covering all 23 districts of West Bengal, the WBPCB has a robust data map to detect pollution trends, particularly during winter months when air quality typically deteriorates.
The annual averages show several areas, including Kolkata and other urban centres, breaching the NAAQS thresholds of 60 µg/m³ for PM10 and 40 µg/m³ for PM2.5.
Not surprisingly, Kolkata emerged as the biggest pollution hotspot, driven by multiple contributing factors: high vehicular emissions, thermal power-related pollution, road dust resuspension due to dense traffic, emissions from kitchens — especially among urban poor households lacking access to clean cooking fuel — and open biomass burning, often from landfill sites.
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Apart from the six non-attainment cities — Kolkata, Howrah, Haldia, Asansol, Durgapur, and Barrackpore — WBPCB identified several new pollution hotspots, many of them in rural West Bengal. "Many of these new hotspots are emerging in rural areas. We believe there is a qualitative difference in the toxicity of pollutants between urban and rural regions," said Kalyan Rudra, WBPCB chairman adding, "To understand this 'toxicity divide,' we are collaborating with Bengaluru-based think tank CTEP.
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In many cases, pollution stems from sources beyond state boundaries. Raniganj, for instance, continues to suffer from coal mine fires that persisted for over 50 years. A similar long-standing fire at the adjacent Jharia coalfield in neighbouring Jharkhand is exacerbating the air quality in both Raniganj and Asansol, indicating the need for inter-state cooperation to address such transboundary pollution.
Biomass burning remains a significant source of pollution. According to WBPCB's records for 2024–25, 26,748 cases of open biomass burning (OBB) were identified across West Bengal
With clear identification of hotspots, the WBPCB plans to implement targeted, ground-level interventions to reduce pollutant levels in these critical areas and bring them in line with national standards. These efforts include pollution source mitigation, better enforcement, public awareness, and inter-agency collaboration—essential steps to ensure cleaner air for the people of West Bengal.
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