As Kali Puja festivities wrapped up, Kolkata and Howrah found themselves shrouded in a thick blanket of smog, a direct consequence of widespread firecracker bursting. Environmental experts and local authorities confirmed a dramatic dip in air quality, with many areas far exceeding permissible pollution levels, despite clear guidelines from the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) and police.
A WBPCB official revealed alarming figures: the Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 186 at Kolkata’s iconic Victoria Memorial, a level considered ‘poor’. However, the situation was far more critical in Howrah, where Belur recorded a staggering AQI of 364 – classified as ‘severe’ – by 10 p.m. on Monday. To put this in perspective, an AQI between 151 and 200 is ‘poor’, 201 to 300 is ‘very poor’, and anything above 300 signifies ‘severe’ air pollution.
Other areas in Howrah also reported concerning levels, with Padmapukur reaching 361 and Ghusuri hitting 252. In Kolkata, Ballygunge saw an AQI of 173, Jadavpur 169, and Rabindra Bharati University in Sinthi registered 167. Even earlier in the evening, by 8 p.m., AQI levels were already climbing, with Victoria at 164, Jadavpur at 159, and Belur Math at 161, signaling trouble ahead.
Environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh expressed deep concern over the unchecked firecracker use across both cities. He highlighted rampant bursting of loud firecrackers throughout northern and southern Kolkata, including areas like Kashipur, Sinthi, Jorasanko, Maniktala, Kasba, Tollygunge, Regent Park, Behala, and Jadavpur. “It appeared both the police and the WBPCB were mere spectators, failing to effectively curb the sale and use of firecrackers,” Ghosh stated.
Ghosh also warned that Howrah’s air quality was particularly bad and anticipated further deterioration during the ongoing post-Kali Puja celebrations. Naba Dutta of Sabuj Manch echoed these criticisms, accusing enforcement agencies of dereliction of duty. He stressed that this failure left vulnerable groups, including the elderly, sick, children, and pets, dangerously exposed to both severe sound and air pollution.