Mamata urged to impose ban on firecrackers to check air pollution

Kolkata, Oct 23 (PTI) Doctors and environmentalists of West Bengal wrote to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday urging her to impose a complete ban on firecrackers like last year to protect air quality which starts deteriorating due to burning of fireworks during Diwali festival.

Several of Kolkata's leading doctors and experts in or fields, who are also part of Bengal Clean Air Network (Bengal-CAN) submitted a letter to Banerjee on need for a safer and cleaner festive season.

letter said air quality starts deteriorating after firecrackers are burst during Diwali and West Bengal becomes a gas chamber.

signatories offered support on ir part to administration in generating awareness about pollution caused by firecrackers.

“ upcoming winter season poses a problem in West Bengal and hence, re is a necessity for a pollution-free Diwali celebration this year,” letter, signed by members of Association of Radiology Oncologists of India, Society of Emergency Medicine India, South Asian Medical Students Association and or leading NGOs, said.

Dr Soirindhri Banerjee of Department of Radiation Oncology, IPGMER & SSKM Hospital, who is also a signatory said, “It is extremely important to recognise potential of smoke and suspended smog as significant worsening factors of respiratory infections. As festivities continue, we urge all to celebrate with lights and lamps and consciously curb use of firecrackers to control air pollution." letter also stressed that if ban is implemented it would lead to reduction in level of t just air but sound pollution as well. PTI SCH NN NN