Raj cities face rising pollution crisis

Jaipur: Several cities of Rajasthan are experiencing rising particulate pollution and are also witnessing a multi-pollutant crisis with levels of several gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone increasing public health risk in the state. This has been found in a new analysis carried out by New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Urban Lab.

“Air quality is worsening not only in non-attainment cities but also in smaller cities and towns of Rajasthan despite the clean air action underway.

Time-bound improvement in air quality requires state-wide action to improve systems and infrastructure in all the key sectors of pollution including industry, vehicles and transport,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy (CSE) on Friday. “It is necessary to scale up with speed the implementation of the multi-sector clean air action plan at the city and the state levels,” said Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE.

Notably, with an annual PM2. 5 level of 92.7 g/m3, Bhiwadi is considered the most polluted city in the country.