AIR QUALITY IN KOLKATA ... PART 1 of 3

PART 1 : AIR QUALITY IN KOLKATA

The air we breathe is a killer. This fact is stated by Dr. Dipak Chakraborty, the chief scientist of Pollution Control Board (PCB).

He goes on to state the following statistics:

Kolkata’s annual average RPM count is 105 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg / m3) and the permissible limit is only 60 micrograms.

The average benzene level ( a known carcinogenic) in the city is on the rise – from 29.15 mcg / m3 in 2004-05 to 35.58 mcg / m3 in 2006-07. This is twice the permissible limit set by the WHO.

The report is that much more credible, coming as it is from a government source and from a very respectable organization – PCB.

Kolkata tops the list of lung cancer victims among Indian cities – at least 10,000 people die in the city every year because of pollution, mainly caused by vehicles. Twisha Lahiri, a scientist who used to work at the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), studied the effects of urban pollution on health, and stated that the rate of lung cancer in Kolkata is 18.4 per 100,000 people compared to 11 to 13 in other metropolis.

Two of the most notorious pollutants are 1) Three wheelers (autos) and 2) diesel run vehicles.

ADB (Asian Development Bank) study in 2005 stated that 2 stroke 3 wheelers (more than 80% of 3 wheelers in Kolkata are 2 stroke variety), belch over 98,000 tons of pollutants a year – the highest amongst all transport modes. The study was done on the premise that they were using petrol.

Poor ADB – they cannot be faulted for knowing what is kata tel – the dangerous illegal cocktail that goes in as fuel in our 3 wheelers – exacerbating the pollution levels manifold. A typical kata tel composition : 25% kerosene + 25% naptha + 45% petrol + 5% other impurities. This adulterated concoction was tested in Jadavpur University, and stated that naptha increases the risk of cancer exponentially due to the presence of cancer causing compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbon and benzene.

And to put things in perspective : 150,000 litres of kata tel is sold in Kolkata, EVERYDAY.

Diesel driven vehicles also are prime culprits for the polluted air by emitting finer particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Chief Scientist of PCB, Dr Chakraborty stated, “ What is most dangerous is that 74% of these particles is so small that they can enter deep into the lungs and cause maximum damage.”

Children are the biggest sufferers, with about a third of children in this city is stated to be suffering from upper respiratory tract related malaise including asthma, and missing schools more than other children in different parts of India.

CONCLUSION : The fundamental right of every citizen is to have access to clean air. This is being denied to us by the Transport Department, Govt of West Bengal - and love of the lucre seems to be the guiding motive. Otherwise the brazeness with which kata tel is being sold, the unregistered 3 wheelers are being run, is a reminder of the old days in a banana republic. Which reminds me - is there no legal remedy? Can there not be a cohesive legal action taken by the victims of pollution against the erring authorities who have taken away their life and livelihood?

While the state govt of the day is busy atrracting companies to the state, it seems oblivious to the larger picture. The businessmen will want to make money - sure, but they are also health consious and they will only bring their family and partake in the social development of the city / state, if they see a long term strategy, and yes - a clean environment in every sense. Otherwise, postings in Kolkata will be like postings in Dafur, Kabul - local talent pool leaving for greener pastures outside, and outsiders coming in sans family only to fill in gaps if the salary is high. And yes, mediocrity and low level business sense will prevail. Part 2 will deal with the POLITICS & GREED of kata tel & 3 wheelers.