Expressing concern over the significant decline in air quality in urban areas, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has urged all urban local bodies (ULBs) to promptly implement measures to address the escalating pollution levels.
According to K Murugesan, Member-Secretary of OSPCB, the current surge in air pollution is considered temporary. He emphasised that the decline in air quality is primarily attributed to the ongoing construction activities and airborne dust particles, which are expected to improve as wind circulation increases.
Notably, construction activities near certain air quality monitoring stations, particularly in Bhubaneswar and Baleswar, are identified as contributors to the deterioration of the air quality index (AQI).
Despite the temporary nature of the situation, the OSPCB Member-Secretary underscored that the OSPCB has directed all ULBs to take proactive steps to curb dust pollution.
Additionally, the ULBs have been advised to monitor and regulate dust emissions from construction activities, implement measures such as the sprinkling of water on roads to settle dust particles and adopt other relevant strategies to mitigate the impact on air quality.
