In a significant move to combat the city's deteriorating air quality, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is formally reaching out to the police for assistance. The civic body's environment department has decided to write to the officers-in-charge of all police stations across the city's 144 wards, urging them to monitor and curb the rampant burning of dry leaves and other materials during the evenings.
Police Partnership Sought for Enforcement
Swapan Samaddar, the member of the mayor-in-council who oversees the KMC environment department, made the announcement on Thursday. He stated clearly that without active help from the police, the civic body is not in a position to stop the widespread practice of burning dry leaves, which peaks every winter. Samaddar also appealed directly to the elected KMC councillors, requesting them to come forward and keep a vigilant eye on sections of people who habitually engage in this activity as the cold season sets in.
Current Measures and Admitted Shortcomings
The issue was highlighted during the monthly House session of the KMC. In reply to a question from councillor Meenakshi Ganguli about the body's efforts to fight the enveloping smog, Mayor Firhad Hakim outlined the ongoing actions. He confirmed that water sprinklers are currently being used to wash roads and water roadside trees in an attempt to settle dust and particulate matter. However, Swapan Samaddar conceded a critical logistical flaw: the KMC does not have an adequate number of water sprinklers to effectively cover all 144 wards under its jurisdiction.
Councillor Ganguli further requested the municipal authorities to deploy water tanks specifically to hydrate the large trees in north Kolkata's Deshabandhu Park, highlighting the need for targeted greening efforts.
Resident Outcry and Environmental Impact
The move follows alarming incidents that have drawn public ire. Last year, in Bhowanipore's Ladies' Park (also known as Southern Park), a conservancy worker was spotted burning dry leaves in the morning, causing significant air pollution in the surrounding area. The burning continued for over an hour, affecting local residents.
Sanjay Mishra, a resident of Ramesh Mitra Road who uses a shortcut through the park, shared his distressing experience. "I have breathing-related issues; the sudden gush of acrid fumes made me feel extremely uneasy," he said. Echoing health concerns, environmentally conscious local resident Ranajit Chakravarty explained the science behind the hazard. He pointed out that burning leaves releases harmful pollutants like particulate matter, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide, which pose serious risks to both public health and the environment, directly contributing to the city's poor Air Quality Index (AQI).
The KMC's initiative underscores a growing recognition that tackling Kolkata's winter air pollution requires a coordinated, multi-agency approach, combining civic resources with law enforcement vigilance to change deep-rooted public behavior.
