It is time that the citizens of Kolkata start demanding clean air in the city, say pollution experts. The Quint reached out to environmentalists Somendra Mohan Ghosh and Vimlendu Jha for its #PollutionKaSolution campaign in Kolkata and both have registered alarm at the lack of public awareness on the issue of pollution in the city.
Public Awareness The First Step
The administration is suppressing how bad the pollution is. Why are they suppressing? Because they don’t have the machines. One body, ie: the US Embassy, has installed machines, but our government is saying that it is a fake reading. That is not true. If I have to call someone’s reading fake, then I should have my own readings as well.Somendra Mohan Ghosh to The Quint
The Mayor of Kolkata had earlier dismissed reports of the US Embassy saying that it does not represent the “true picture” of Kolkata.
The government doesn’t issue any public health advisories. When your Air Quality Index is hitting beyond 400 – and on days it’s crossed 550 as well – it is very critical that the government put this information out in the public in the form of an advisory. My request to the government is to have this data out in the open and tell the people what to do and what not to do.Vimlendu Jha to The Quint
Urgent Need For Air Quality Monitoring
Both experts also said that it is important that the government ensure a proper system of monitoring real-time pollution data, which can then be made available to the public.
Three months back, the National Green Tribunal passed an order to install 11 monitors in Kolkata. But nothing has been done yet. At least 40 devices are needed all across the city.Somendra Mohan Ghosh to The Quint
The first thing that the government should have done right is to have its air quality monitors functional. It is a public health emergency in Kolkata. I would request the government to take this matter seriously. Unless you measure the situation, you won’t have an action plan.Vimlendu Jha to The Quint
‘Clean Air Is Our Birth Right’
It is time for the citizens to come to action and demand clean air, our experts say.
There are so many agencies measuring pollution levels. They are not lying. If I’m lying then the government can put me behind bars. But the reason I’m emphasising on measurement of pollution is because clean air is our birthright.Somendra Mohan Ghosh to The Quint
It is time for the citizens to demand from the government that it can’t be business as usual. They are the custodians of our air and also of public health. They can’t ignore the fact that pollution is a problem. The US Embassy monitors tell us that the situation is critical and something needs to be done soon enough.Vimlendu Jha to The Quint
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