Until a few years ago, those of us who are regular visitors to the City of Joy believed that it deserved to be right up there with Delhi as one of the most polluted cities in India. Now, things have changed for the better. Adrija Datta writes for the Indian Express:
“Over a span of six years, Kolkata has demonstrated a remarkable turnaround in its air quality, transforming from one of the most polluted cities in the country in 2019 to being nationally recognised for its improved environmental standards in 2025…
In 2019, Kolkata was listed among the Top 10 most polluted cities by the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
At the time, the city’s annual average PM10 level was recorded at 100 micrograms per cubic meter. Additionally, the annual average AQI at the Fort William green zone automated air monitoring station reached 343 in 2019 –categorised as ‘very poor’.
In contrast, in May 2025, the PM10 level ranges between 47 and 50 micrograms per cubic meter, and the AQI stands at a significantly improved 73.”
So how did Kolkata improve its AQI so dramatically? As per Mayor Farhad Hakim’s post on X: “Measures included stringent and immediate actions for solid waste management, deployment of water sprinklers and mist cannons, mandatory use of scaffolding nets at construction sites, and the phasing out of older vehicles in favour of electric alternatives by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the State Transport Department.
Other steps included the commitment to plant one crore saplings, installation of a dedicated construction and demolition waste processing plant, and continuous surveillance over polluting industries within the city.
As part of the Central Government’s urban air quality initiative, a total grant of Rs 21.02 crore was released to West Bengal in May.”
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