Balasore, 5/1 : In a decisive move to combat escalating air pollution, the Balasore district administration has imposed stringent restrictions on construction activities, vehicular movement, and other pollution-contributing sources across Balasore Municipality and other Urban Local Body (ULB) areas. The measures come as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Balasore has consistently remained in the ‘very poor’ category, posing significant health risks to residents.
The order, issued by Collector and District Magistrate Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas under Section 163(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-II guidelines, will be in effect for seven days, with a possibility of extension if the air quality does not improve. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Balasore recorded an AQI of 297 on Sunday, indicating ‘very poor’ air quality. While the AQI saw a drop to 150 by 4 PM on Monday, the administration stressed the need for immediate action to safeguard public health.
Under the new directives, all construction activities, including demolition work and earth excavation, are strictly prohibited between 6 PM and 10 AM daily within municipal and ULB limits. This ban aims to minimize dust emissions during peak pollution hours. Furthermore, the entry of heavy trucks into Balasore town and other ULB areas has been completely restricted. Trucks transporting coal, minor and major minerals, and ash will face specific daytime movement limitations, and it has been mandated that all such vehicles plying on NH-16, state highways, and district roads must be properly covered with tarpaulin.
To mitigate road dust pollution, the Balasore Municipality, ULBs, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have been directed to jointly carry out water sprinkling on all roads at least three times a day. NHAI and the Executive Engineer of the National Highway Division are also instructed to ensure regular water sprinkling at their respective construction sites. The administration has also imposed a complete ban on open burning of waste, coal burning at roadside eateries (dhabas), and any kind of open fire. Operations of brick kiln units without due permission from the concerned authorities have also been prohibited.
Sub-Collectors of Balasore and Nilgiri, along with the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), have been tasked with issuing separate orders for the movement restrictions of mineral-laden trucks during daytime. Police, municipalities, ULBs, executing agencies, and the RTO are mandated to ensure strict compliance with these orders. Daily monitoring of the situation will be conducted by the Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Balasore and Nilgiri, who will submit regular compliance reports to the Collectorate. These comprehensive measures are expected to significantly curb the rising particulate matter levels and improve the overall air quality in the region.
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