Patna Municipal Corporation imposes strict measures to curb construction dust pollution
Patna: With Patna’s air quality slipping into the “moderate” category over the past 24 hours, concerns over rising particulate pollution have pushed Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) to roll out stricter norms on construction and demolition waste disposal to curb dust pollution.
In the last 24 hours, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Patna was recorded at 177, falling under the “moderate” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin released Wednesday.
The bulletin identified PM2.5 as the primary pollutant in the city, a fine particulate matter that originates from building materials and construction wastes. In the wake of this, the PMC rolled out a series of strict measures to curb this source of pollution.
D K Shukla, chairman, Bihar State Pollution Control Board , said, “Construction and demolition wastes generate two types of pollutants: PM2.5, consisting cement and finer dust; and PM10, which contains sand and larger particles. He added that pollution increases in winter as vertical dispersal is limited; fog traps pollutants in moisture particles and prevents them from rising.
To help improve air quality, the PMC issued a formal directive on Wednesday, prohibiting dumping of debris in open spaces or on public roads. Under these regulations, all construction and demolition waste must be transported to designated secondary points across the six circles of Bankipore, Azimabad, Patna City, Patliputra, Kankarbagh, and the New Capital. To further mitigate the spread of dust, installation of green mesh at all construction sites is mandatory now.
Shukla said, “The green cloth is mandatory for any building under construction.”
The health implications of these particles are severe. Health experts warn that the PM2.5 particles are dangerous because they can bypass the nose and throat, penetrate deep into the lungs, and enter the bloodstream.
PMC officials said violations of disposal standards will attract a fine of up to Rs1,500. To facilitate compliance, the municipal body is offering a debris collection service at a rate of Rs600 per trip, accessible via its toll-free number 155304 or the official WhatsApp chatbot. By centralising the disposal of waste at specific locations such as Arya Kumar Road, Gardanibagh, and Transport Nagar, among others, the corporation aims to improve the city’s overall air quality.
In the last 24 hours, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Patna was recorded at 177, falling under the “moderate” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin released Wednesday.
The bulletin identified PM2.5 as the primary pollutant in the city, a fine particulate matter that originates from building materials and construction wastes. In the wake of this, the PMC rolled out a series of strict measures to curb this source of pollution.
D K Shukla, chairman, Bihar State Pollution Control Board , said, “Construction and demolition wastes generate two types of pollutants: PM2.5, consisting cement and finer dust; and PM10, which contains sand and larger particles. He added that pollution increases in winter as vertical dispersal is limited; fog traps pollutants in moisture particles and prevents them from rising.
To help improve air quality, the PMC issued a formal directive on Wednesday, prohibiting dumping of debris in open spaces or on public roads. Under these regulations, all construction and demolition waste must be transported to designated secondary points across the six circles of Bankipore, Azimabad, Patna City, Patliputra, Kankarbagh, and the New Capital. To further mitigate the spread of dust, installation of green mesh at all construction sites is mandatory now.
Shukla said, “The green cloth is mandatory for any building under construction.”
The health implications of these particles are severe. Health experts warn that the PM2.5 particles are dangerous because they can bypass the nose and throat, penetrate deep into the lungs, and enter the bloodstream.
PMC officials said violations of disposal standards will attract a fine of up to Rs1,500. To facilitate compliance, the municipal body is offering a debris collection service at a rate of Rs600 per trip, accessible via its toll-free number 155304 or the official WhatsApp chatbot. By centralising the disposal of waste at specific locations such as Arya Kumar Road, Gardanibagh, and Transport Nagar, among others, the corporation aims to improve the city’s overall air quality.
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