Bhubaneswar: The air quality in at least two urban areas of Odisha was described as very poor by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) today.
The air quality in Odisha’s Angul town was categorized as very poor with an index value of 340 by the CPCB today (December 4).
Similarly, the air quality in Balasore town of Odisha was described as very poor with an index value of 304 by the central agency.
The air quality in Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar was categorized as poor with an index value of 277 today.
As per the CPCB data, the air quality in Cuttack town was described as poor with an index value of 284.
Special Secretary to Forest, Environment and Climate Change department, K Murugesan, however, said the air quality in the above said urban areas of Odisha has deteriorated due to some temporary reasons.
“The air quality in Angul and Balasore has been categorized as very poor while the same in Bhubaneswar has been described as poor in the Air Quality Index of the CPCB today. The air pollution in these urban areas has gone up due to temporary reasons, including construction work,” he added.
According to Murugesan, construction activities being undertaken by the Railway authorities in Bhubaneswar have caused rise in air pollution in the Odisha capital. Similarly, the air pollution in Angul and Balasore has gone up due to the construction of roads among other reasons.
Prolonged exposure to very poor quality air may cause respiratory illness among the people. Similarly, people may develop breathing discomfort due to prolonged exposure to poor quality air, said the CBCB.
