If the air pollution in Rourkela city can be brought under control then the average life expectancy of the people will be extended by 3.5 years, claimed environment experts.
Speaking at the ‘National Clean Air Programme’ jointly organised by the State Pollution Control Board, the Chicago-based Energy Policy Institute and the Tata Development Centre, the experts exhorted so.
Notably, Rourkela is among the 102 polluted cities of the country and 7th most polluted city of the State. Similarly, out of 31 industries of the city, 24 have got star rating accord (minimum polluted significance). But dust and smoke coming out from the industries, construction works, roads and other mining activities affect the lives and livelihoods of the people. The air pollution works as a slow poison in human body.
So, the industries, Pollution Control Board, local administration and the people at large jointly have to work to curb the air pollution, said the speakers.