It is important to take cognisance of air pollution to ensure Goa remains liveable
Recently, the Swiss-based air quality monitoring company IQAir released its annual World Air Quality Report 2024. The report presents PM 2.5, i.e., particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or smaller in diameter. This particulate matter is dangerous, as it is too small to be filtered by the nose or throat, causing asthma, cancer, stroke and lung diseases. Additionally, it can make the air look hazy and worsen air quality and allegedly reduce life expectancy by 5.2 years.
The report listed 138 countries, Chad being the most polluted, as was the case in 2022 as well. Four South Asian countries feature in the 10 most polluted countries. Bangladesh and Pakistan are in the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively, and India is in 5th, down from 3rd the previous year. New Delhi remains the most polluted capital city, and six out of the world’s 10 most polluted cities are in India, which is worrying.
Not only the NCR region but also places like Ganganagar, Bhiwadi and Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, whilst Byrnihat on the Assam-Meghalaya border has been found to be the most polluted city.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched to improve air quality in the country, has had little success. It has been highlighted that the funding strategy might be skewed, with road dust management being allotted the largest chunk of the pie while industrial and vehicular emissions, biomass, domestic fuel, construction and capacity building have received a disproportionate amount of funds. The goal of the programme ought to be realigned in order to focus on PM 2.5 levels instead of the current focus of PM 10 levels.
Over the years we’ve seen some measures being implemented, like the Odd-Even plan on private cars to curb vehicular emissions in the national capital. However, scientific data informs that vehicular pollution accounts for roughly 17% of the larger scene of particulate matter in the national capital, and thus such measures would lead to marginal reduction, if not less. Vehicular emissions, road dust, industries, tree felling, construction, coal power plants and stubble burning all contribute to the scene that is today.
Goa has presented itself as a breath of fresh air in the literal sense to fellow citizens getting away from the deteriorating air, rightly so, prioritising their health. However, the air in our state is not the benchmark in the true sense; in fact, it is far from it. Calangute, for instance, a tourist hotbed, has even recorded an AQI of 155, as recorded in the early evening on March 17.
In the last two years, citizens have been complaining of fallouts of dust pollution caused due to infrastructure works – whether it is the Porvorim flyover or Smart City works in Panaji and so on. The use of dust suppressants is non-negotiable for all major construction work being carried out, mechanised sweeping of roads, and also anti-smog guns can be tested for viability. Sustainable construction, along with appropriate handling of waste and controlled demolition, further needs to be inculcated. We are already nearing saturation of vehicular traffic, which has resulted in the construction of broader roads to ease congestion. Real-time air quality data is readily available online thanks to the monitoring systems installed across the state by the State Pollution Control Board.
Taking cognisance of the air quality situation is essential for all individuals, ergo ensuring that Goa remains a more than hospitable paradise.
