The adverse effects of the various outbreaks of global pollution are also visible in the South Asian region. In particular, India lags behind the capital, Delhi, in terms of pollution levels, but the situation in neighboring Kolkata is becoming increasingly precarious. In addition to the national report of that country, the survey of the international organization C40 has revealed the grim reality of Kolkata. Kolkata has topped the world in the number of premature infant deaths due to toxic fumes from coal fired from thermal power stations.
That is why the pollution trend in India is huge. After all, every winter in Delhi, the condition of several cities in India, including Kolkata, Mumbai and Allahabad, becomes deplorable. Air pollution is one of the major metro cities in India. Earlier, more than 15 cities in India, including Kolkata, were among the top 100 most polluted cities in the world. This time, the scientists once again gave a stern warning to India about pollution. According to research, due to air pollution, the average life expectancy of 40 percent of Indians has been declining for almost 9 years. A detailed report published by the Institute of Energy Policy at the University of Chicago reveals such sensational information.
C40 conducted a special study on 61 megacities of the world in terms of climate change. The work of collecting information started in 2019 a couple of years ago. Then came the shocking report. It is learned that Kolkata has the highest rate of pollution due to thermal power. And that is why many children die prematurely. According to statistics, Kolkata tops the list. Researchers at C40 warn that the number could reach 10,000 by 2030 if appropriate action is not taken.
Researchers are also worried about the cause of such deplorable conditions in Kolkata due to coal pollution. According to surveyors, 20 percent of India's thermal power plants are located within 500 km of Kolkata. Due to the spread of polluted smoke and flying ash from coal, it has a direct impact on beautiful (Tilottoma) Kolkata. According to the research, not only Kolkata, but the entire region of West Bengal is plagued by coal pollution. Besides, from a geographical point of view, a large part of West Bengal is located in the Cole-Belt. As a result, pollution is spreading evenly in coal mining.
At present the level of air pollution due to coal in Kolkata is 2.5 PM. According to the guidelines of the World Health Organization which is seven times the normal level. But even then, C40 is of the opinion that no such action is being taken at the national or state level. On the other hand, the central government of India has taken a program to increase the production of thermal power and coal by 26 percent between 2020 and 2030. Researchers fear that this will increase the level of pollution in the future.
This is going to have a terrible effect on Calcutta. In Kolkata alone, the immature mortality rate will increase by 50 per cent. In the case of the whole of India, the number will exceed 31,000. C40 researchers believe that children as well as pregnant women, senior citizens and young people will suffer from severe respiratory diseases. In addition, due to air pollution, 40 percent of Indians are at risk of reducing the average life expectancy by about 9 years.