Odisha launches action plan to combat air pollution

Bhubaneswar: In view of air pollution increasing alarmingly in urban Odisha, the state government has launched an action plan to combat the pollution that creates various health hazards.

Chairing a high-level meeting at state secretariat recently, Chief Secretary AP Padhi directed the Forest & Environment department for implementation of State Clean Air Action Plan to improve environmental condition.

According to reports, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhubaneswar will work with the Forest & Environment department as the technological partner for the successful implementation of the action plan.

At the meeting, the collectors were also asked to prepare city-specific action plan in view of the air pollution in their respective districts.

Official source said that the blue print of action plan is a joint effort of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Forest and Environment Department and State Pollution Control Board.

In view of particulate matter such as PM10 and PM 2.5 produced from dust, inhalable particles, respirable particles, smoke and mist, the government decided to set up daily air quality public information system based on national air quality index and implement the action plan accordingly.