Chandrapur region most polluted in Maharashtra: Report

CHANDRAPUR: In a dubious distinction, Chandrapur region has come on top for air pollution in Maharashtra as per Air Quality Status Report 2018-19 released by Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

The report is based on an analysis of sample data collected at 72 air quality monitoring stations established by MPCB at 25 cities across the state.

Environmentalist Suresh Chopne claimed Chandrapur continues to lead in the air pollution since the year 2009.

Ghugus town, located 20km from city, has been identified as most polluted place in the entire Maharashtra in the report. Ghugus is holding the position of top polluted place since last three years. Sion, Bandra, Dombivali and Chandrapur city follows on next positions respectively in the pollution index, he added.

Chopne maintained that while there is a general decrease in Sulphur-di-oxide pollution in the state, its pollution in Mumbai, Pune and Chandrapur is a bit high. He claimed that compared to Air Quality Status Report of year 2017-18, this year 65% of samples stands in the good category, whereas 35% sample have been found to be in danger grade.

He claimed that the air pollution level in Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Nasik, Dombivali, Bandra, Eroli, Pune and Solapur is on the rise consistently since last eight years. The report has listed out the industrial emission, burning of fuels like petrol, diesel, gas, coal, rising number of vehicles, construction, transportation, burning of garbage as main reason behind the high air pollution.