Bhubaneswar, Sep 29: The air, water and noise pollution level has come down during Corona lockdown in the state, said the Odisha government.

The bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total coliform (TC) level at 129 spots of 11 rivers across the state have been found to be less during lock down in comparison to pre-lock down period, said Forest And Environment minister Bikram Keshari Arukh in reply to a written question of BJP legislator Mohan Charan Majhi today.

The fall in the water pollution level was because of the increase in water level in the river during the lock down, restriction on the discharge of industrial effluents into the river and reduction in in-stream use, said the Minister.

The quality of river water at 121 out of 129 spots has been found to be well within the prescribed limit during the lock down period as against 115 during pre-lockdown period, he informed.

Similarly, the air quality measured in 17 cities across the state was better during March-August, 2020 in comparison to the corresponding period in 2019. The air quality has improved (remained at ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory ‘ level compared to moderate or satisfactory level) due to the lockdown, said the Forest and Environment Minister.

Moreover, the noise pollution level has gone down significantly in the above cities during the lockdown period, the Assembly was told.