Kolkata, October 21:The air quality in Kolkata and adjoining Howrah deteriorated sharply on the night of Kali Puja, with environmentalists blaming rampant use of firecrackers beyond the permitted hours.
According to data from the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas crossed dangerous levels late on Monday night. The Victoria Memorial area in Kolkata recorded an AQI of 186 for PM2.5, categorised as “poor”. In Howrah, pollution levels were far worse — the Belur monitoring station recorded an AQI of 364, falling under the “severe” category.
Other stations in Howrah such as Padmapukur and Ghusuri registered AQI readings of 361 and 252 respectively, while Ballygunge, Jadavpur and Sinthi in Kolkata recorded between 167 and 173, all indicating poor air quality.
Environmentalists attributed the alarming spike in pollution to the widespread bursting of firecrackers well past the legally permitted hours of 8 pm to 10 pm. They alleged that high-decibel and banned firecrackers were openly used across North and South Kolkata, as well as several parts of Howrah.
“Despite the restrictions and clear directives, there was rampant violation of firecracker rules. Both the police and the pollution board failed to enforce the ban effectively,” said environmental activist Somendra Mohan Ghosh, adding that authorities “remained mere spectators” during the celebrations.
Echoing similar concerns, Naba Dutta of environmental group Sabuj Manch said the enforcement failure had put vulnerable groups — the elderly, children, ailing persons and pets — at serious risk. “People suffered from both sound and air pollution. The administration must act more decisively to prevent this recurring issue,” he said.
Officials from the WBPCB said they were analysing the data and would review the extent of violations during the festival night.
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to PM2.5 particles can cause severe respiratory and cardiac problems. AQI readings between 151–200 are considered “poor”, 201–300 “very poor”, and above 300 “severe”, according to pollution control standards.
With winter approaching and festival season underway, environmentalists have urged citizens to celebrate responsibly and reduce the use of firecrackers to prevent further deterioration in air quality.
