Patna: The Patna Junction area now has the dubious distinction of being the most polluted part of the state capital, followed by Patna City and Gandhi Maidan. That said, it is not all doom and gloom for the city residents. The air is cleaner and has lesser noxious pollutants in Danapur and Phulwarisharif.
Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) CEO Rampati Kumar and programme manager AnkitaJyoti on Wednesday spoke about the air quality monitored by five devices installed in different areas of the city between May 15 and May 31 (16 days). Unveiling a report titled 'Patna Ambient Air Quality Analysis' at a press meet here, Kumar said the rate at which urban air pollution had grown across the country was alarming.
"The highest levels of particulate matter (PM) in Patna, arising from construction sites, burning of coal, use of biomass and diesel vehicles, were observed in the afternoon. The mornings were equally bad, but slightly better than the nights. The tiny particles (PM10 and PM2.5) can go deep inside our lungs and trigger respiratory problems and other diseases," Kumar told media persons and added PM concentration was evaluated in morning, noon, evening and midnight.
Of the 16 days, the overall air quality index was severe on 12 days and moderate on the remaining days. "We did not witness a single day when the air quality was normal," Ankita said, adding the city was reeling under severe particulate pollution.
Flaying the state government for treating the issue with scant importance, Ankita said public awareness held the key to change. "The onus of curbing air pollution is on the government, which is fighting shy of its responsibilities. It should work with the Union government to cut down the emission standard for new vehicles and urge the latter to adopt Bharat Stage VI, that is likely to improve air quality all over," she added.
Patna is entangled in the vicious web of pollution and the residents need a time-bound action plan to combat the problem. Kumar said, "The government must enforce control mechanisms to get rid of foul air. Doing away with biomass for cooking, construction dust, diesel vehicles, open burning and industrial emission, among others, will be of great help. The low-cost solution of planting trees and the use of solar cookers and bicycles will change the state capital for good."
