Bhubaneswar, 26/11: When the pollution level of the national capital New Delhi has been alarming, the air quality of Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar is satisfactory. This was stated by the state Forest and Environment minister Bikfram Keshari Arukh in the state assembly today.

Arukh said the State Pollution Control Board conducts test of air quality in 17 cities/towns across the state. The air quality index of the state capital Bhubaneswar has remained satisfactory (94).

The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) is executing following programmes to improve the air quality of Bhubaneswar: 1) installation of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS),  Assessment of various sources of air pollution in the city by the country’s leading educational and research institutions  and conducting public awareness and capacity building programmes. Besides, the solid waste programme and massive plantation is being undertaken, said the minister.

According to the national air quality index scale, zero to 50 is considered as good, 51 to 100 satisfactory, 101 to 200-moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and above 400 severe.

Air quality index of the following nine cities/towns has remained satisfactory. They are: Angul (97), Talcher (99), Balasore (87), Berhampur (66), Bhubaneswar (94),Keonjhar (98), Konark (69), Rayagada (60) and Sambalpur (84).

Eight cities/towns are in the moderate level. They are: Bonaigarh (116), Cuttack (109), Jharsuguda (104), Kalinga Nagar (103), Paradip (124), Puri (107), Rajgangpur (138) and Rourkela (114). Of these eight cities/towns, only Puri is pilgrim town, Cuttack a prominent business centre while all others are industrial cities/towns.

However, a comprehensive action plan is under implementation taking seven cities/towns (Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Angul, Talcher, Balasore and Kalinga Nagar) together to curb air pollution  in coordination with various related departments.