Concern over Odisha’s deteriorating air quality

Over the past week, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and two district administrations have issued advisories to regulate construction activities and vehicular movement after the Air Quality Index (AQI) surged beyond 300 —classified as “very poor” under the Central Pollution Control Board guidelines. That air pollution has emerged as a subject of public discourse in Odisha, traditionally regarded as one of the country’s greener States, appears unlikely and unsettling.

Persistently fluctuating AQI levels between the “poor” and “very poor” categories in cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Angul, Balasore and Baripada have forced the issue into the spotlight. With relatively lower vehicular density and substantial green cover compared to metropolitan centres like New Delhi and Mumbai, Odisha’s deteriorating air quality presents a troubling anomaly.

While scientists have attributed the spike to peculiar weather conditions, environmentalists warn that the trend signals deeper problems. Of particular concern is the emergence of stubble burning, an uncommon practice in the State, which, they caution, could further aggravate already unhealthy atmospheric conditions and pose serious public health risks.

Angul is probably the first district administration in Odisha to issue Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage II notification under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to tackle air pollution.

Angul’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained largely in the poor to very poor range over the past week, peaking at alarming levels on January 2 (346) and January 3 (326). Although a marginal improvement was recorded on January 6 (203), the overall trend indicates sustained pollution stress rather than a stable recovery. The consistently high readings from December 31 (257) through January 5 (241) suggest chronic exposure to unhealthy air, with only short-lived fluctuations.

As one of Odisha’s most industrialised zones, Angul’s air quality is heavily influenced by its industrial ecosystem. Steel plants, thermal power stations, and continuous coal extraction from the Talcher coalfield contribute significantly to particulate emissions. The constant movement of coal-laden and iron ore trucks through urban stretches further worsens ambient air quality. Ongoing large-scale construction activities add to dust pollution, compounding the problem and leaving Angul and neighbouring Talcher town to bear the environmental cost of the region’s growing energy demand.

“Angul’s air quality remains in the very poor category, largely due to intense vehicular movement linked to industrial activity. Coal, iron ore and fly ash frequently spill onto roads from heavy transport vehicles, leading to persistent resuspension of dust. Ongoing road construction and the practice of filling road voids with fly ash have further aggravated particulate pollution,” said Prasanna Behera, Angul-based environmentalist.

“Beyond air pollution, fly ash poses a more insidious threat. Residual heavy metals from the ash often leach into nearby water sources, increasing the risk of long-term health hazards for local communities,” Mr. Behera added.

Over the past fortnight, air quality levels have frequently slipped into the “red” zone in Bhubaneswar, Balasore and Cuttack. Drawing lessons from Angul, the Balasore district administration invoked GRAP Stage II measures, including a ban on open burning of waste and the use of coal in hotels, mandatory sprinkling of water on all major roads three times a day, and a complete restriction on the entry of heavy trucks into Balasore town.

These interventions have yielded immediate results. The AQI in Balasore, which had crossed 300, dropped below 200 on January 5 and 6, indicating a significant improvement in air quality.

Similarly, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has issued directives to regulate vehicular entry into industrial estates. The civic body has also identified roadside eateries using coal, fuel wood and other waste materials, and launched enforcement drives to curb such practices.

Baripada, a northern Odisha town, presents a curious case regarding air pollution. Similipal, a 4000-sq km biosphere reserve, is not far from Baripada and the town does not have any major industrial activities, yet the AQI was found above 300 on many occasions during past fortnight.

Scientists attribute high AQI level to present weather phenomenon. V. Vinoj, Associate Professor of School of Earth, Ocean and Climate Sciences in IIT-Bhubaneswar, says, “Normally, polluted air get dispersed around this time in the region. This time weather is very cold.  Weather condition is not favourable for dispersion for which AQI level remains high.”

Odisha has traditionally not been associated with stubble burning. However, farmers are increasingly resorting to burning paddy crop residues in fields, and the practice appears to be spreading. The smoke rising from these farmlands has further aggravated air pollution, compounding already deteriorating air quality conditions.