Bhubaneswar: The air quality in Odisha’s industrial towns of Angul and Rourkela deteriorated sharply on Monday, placing them among the worst in the country, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). While Angul recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 257, Rourkela was AQI 215, both classified as ‘poor.’ The pollution levels in the two cities rose by around 50 points in the last 24 hours. Talcher, another industrial hub in the state, saw a slight improvement from ‘poor’ to ‘moderate,’ with its AQI dropping from 202 on Sunday to 195 on Monday. Besides Angul and Rourkela, Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan was the only other city to report a ‘poor’ AQI on Monday. Even New Delhi, infamous for its severe pollution levels especially during winter, recorded a comparatively lower AQI of 156.
However, the regional officer of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) at Rourkela, Anup Mallik, said, “The data shown in CPCB site is not accurate as the SPCB is showing the AQI between 112 to 120, which is average. The SPCB has been giving instructions to the district authorities to improve AQI in the city.”
Environmental experts attributed the worsening air quality in Angul and Rourkela to industrial emissions, vehicular pollution and unfavourable weather conditions. “The rise in AQI is alarming, particularly in these industrial regions where emissions from power plants, steel factories and mining activities are significant contributors. Construction work in the cities is also another major contributor to deteriorating air quality. Particulate matter like PM2.5 and PM10 are a major cause of concern,” environmentalist Jay Krushna Panigrahi said.
“The situation demands immediate intervention, including stricter emission controls and improved air monitoring,” he added.
Experts also warned of the health risks posed by prolonged exposure to poor air quality, especially for children, elderly and those with respiratory conditions. “Air pollution can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The govt must enforce stricter pollution control norms and increase green cover in these areas to mitigate the impact,” ENT specialist Dr Swarupananda Mishra said.
Seven cities in Odisha – Angul, Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Talcher and Kalinga Nagar – have been declared as non-attainment cities by the CPCB as they consistently failed to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
With Odisha’s industrial cities now ranking among the worst in the country in terms of air pollution, environmentalists and residents are calling for urgent measures to curb emissions and improve air quality.