A specialist doctor at Siliguri District Hospital said, “Children are also suffering from lung diseases due to air pollution in the city.” In the words of an environmentalist from the city, “A few months ago, a friend of mine from Delhi called me to know about the pollution situation in this city and said, ‘What the hell, you guys are going to surpass Delhi!’”
Similar concerns exist about Siliguri. The number of cars in the city has increased so much that pollution from car exhaust has become a cause for concern. Apart from this, there are also concerns about the incidents of fires and burning in Baikunthpur and Mahananda sanctuaries adjacent to the city. Environmentalists claim that groups of herders often set fire to dry grass in the forest areas. They hope that new grass will grow quickly in the burnt areas. The smoke from the fires in the forest areas spreads serious pollution.
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb said, “Various steps are being taken to reduce pollution. The speed of the city is being increased by diverting cars on roads and flyovers. A meeting has been held with the forest department and fire department to reduce the chances of forest fires. Apart from that, the process of scientifically disposing of waste at the dumping ground is underway.’’ He added that arrangements are being made to water the roads during the dry season to reduce dust.
Environmentalists claim that the speed of vehicles on the main roads of Siliguri city is 5-10 kilometers per hour. The lower the speed of vehicles, the more traffic jams there are, the more pollution will spread due to burning of vehicle oil. That is also a cause for concern. The traffic of vehicles has increased on the Eastern Bypass as well. Air pollution is also increasing in that part. The smoke emitted from the fire in the dumping ground on the Eastern Bypass on one side of the city is a cause of danger in Siliguri city. It is alleged that the pollution is terrible due to the burning of methane gas in the buried waste.
