The State Pollution Control Board on Thursday, in a letter to the Collector Sundargarh and the Commissioner, Rourkela Municipal Corporation, expressed its concern over sudden rise in air pollution level in Rourkela city.
It also served a nine-point advisory to bring an improvement in the situation.
Significantly, on March 8, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Rourkela city was recorded as high as 526, which is considered as severe condition.
The same however has come down to as low as 342, which is considered as moderate to poor condition, since 100 is the ideal for a city like Rourkela. Sources said, the people of Rourkela reportedly had experienced eye burning experience on March 8 and had complained with the regional office of SPCB, Rourkela.
On the reports of regional office of SPCB Rourkela, Member Secretary SPCB Odisha had sent a letter to the Sundargarh Collector and the Commissioner of Rourkela Municipal Corporation, regarding the alarming the situation.
The SPCB in its letter advised various measures like cleaning of road and water sprinkling on major roads, adequate cleaning and water sprinkling on approach road of railway siding, strict vigilance on high polluting vehicles, ensuring no garbage burning, no outdoor sports activity in schools and colleges and restriction and regulation on air polluting industries etc.
The officials of SPCB Rourkela however maintained that they were closely monitoring the development related to Air Quality Index of the city.