States » EastPosted at: Nov 9 2026 11:09PM


Kolkata's air quality deteriorates after Kali Puja & Diwali celebrations; environmentalists, doctors raise alarm

Kolkata, Nov 9 (UNI) Environmentalists and doctors have raised concerns over the serious health implications of deteriorating air quality in Kolkata and its adjoining areas following Kali Puja and Diwali celebrations.
From residential localities to silent zones, no area was spared from the noise and emissions caused by firecrackers, which environmentalists claimed were not green crackers. Even 12 hours after the peak celebrations on Kali Puja and Diwali night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in most parts of the city remained above 100, according to the state pollution control board's 'Paribesh App'.
The air quality in Lake Town remained alarming, with the AQI recorded at 323 around noon and 321 at around 3 pm on Sunday.
According to environmentalists Naba Dutta and Soumendra Mohan Ghosh, noise levels in silent zones, which should remain within 40 decibels, rose to around 90 decibels during peak hours between 1 am and 2 am on Kali Puja and Diwali night.
"The AQI was 80 on November 4 and 232 a day before the festival. Last night, while touring various pockets of the city and its surrounding areas, we noticed that the hourly data skyrocketed to 532 between 1 am and 2 am, while the 24-hour reading stood at 250," environmentalist Soumendra Mohan Ghosh said.
"This year, the air quality remaining above the permissible limits for more than 12 hours was alarming. Even the noise level near silent zones was around 90 decibels, which should have been within 40 decibels. At B.C. Roy Hospital, firecrackers were being burst within 75 metres of the hospital premises. We complained to the police about the matter and learnt that firecrackers were being burst on the terraces of buildings and thrown into neighbouring premises in silent zones," Ghosh said.
Naba Dutta echoed these concerns and said his organisation, Sabuj Mancha, had received 37 complaints this year, compared to around 20 last year.
"Firecrackers were burst rampantly this year, and complaints came from various parts of the city, including Haridevpur, Kasba, Tollygunge, Beadon Street and Maniktala. The complaints continued to pour in until 1 am," Dutta said.
The two environmentalists recommended a crackdown on illegal firecracker manufacturing units to address the problem at its source.
"The court should take up the matter suo motu to fix accountability for the damage caused," Ghosh said.
Dutta added, "There are clear orders from the courts that no firecrackers other than green crackers should be allowed for sale. We had also raised concerns about illegal firecrackers being sold in localities. Those responsible should strictly implement the rules."
Doctors, including pulmonologists, also expressed concern over the deterioration in air quality during this time of the year.
"After the monsoon, patients with breathing difficulties face increased problems. The number of such patients starts rising during this time of the year as air movement is relatively slow and particulate matter begins to show its impact," an eminent pulmonologist at a private city hospital said.
"Patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might experience increased difficulties a month later under normal circumstances. However, the addition of hazardous particulate matter beyond permissible limits could trigger these health problems earlier and aggravate the symptoms," another doctor added.
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