KOLKATA: If Delhi gasped for breath with air quality indix dipping to 'severe' before Diwali, a stroke of luck saw the pollution neutralise to quite an extent in Kolkata. Cops ensured that the city remains quiet on Kali Puja, and sporadic drizzle in pockets of the city brought down the level of particulate matter in air to a considerable extent.
Though final readings and their analysis would arrive late, two automatic air-quality-measuring stations of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) at Budge Budge and Victoria Memorial Hall gave an indication of how the air quality changed for the better. The station at Budge Budge, which is beyond the city police jurisdiction, had recorded a jump in air pollution at 10pm on Saturday, when PM10 shot up to 205.9 microgram per cubic metre. At 11pm, it rose further to 277.3.
Near Victoria, however, PM10 breached the permissible limit mark only at 11pm, when it rose to 143 microgram per cubic meter. At both places, the count dropped below 100 after Sunday's drizzle. However, these data from automatic centres are not validated by WBPCB. But they are certainly an indicator.
"There is a clear connection between noise level and air quality. If noise level rises, the ambient air quality declines. The automatic centre's data indicates that less fireworks were burnt this year," said PCB officer.
Though cyclone Kyant moved down south, there might be another depression forming over the Bay of Bengal off the southern coast of Myanmar. However, the forecast says there is no reason to worry at least till the next week. Except for a few patchy showers, there is no forecast of a depression or heavy showers. But an overcast sky is expected over the next seven days. Humidity may rise as well.
