Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency. Kolkata, Jan 15, 2026:
Air pollution continues to pose a serious threat to public health in India, with experts warning that fragmented efforts and short-term fixes will not deliver lasting improvements in air quality or urban liveability.
These concerns were raised at a Clean Air Dialogue held in Kolkata on Wednesday, which brought together policymakers, scientists, civil society organisations, academic leaders, and students to deliberate on pathways for sustained and effective action. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for stronger coordination between government agencies, research institutions, and communities to address air pollution at its sources.
Experts noted that air pollution is among the leading risk factors for disease and premature mortality in India, contributing to an estimated 1.6-1.7 million early deaths each year. Average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in many Indian cities remain nearly ten times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended annual guideline. Seasonal pollution spikes-particularly during winter-are intensified by vehicular emissions, construction activity, open waste burning, and unfavourable meteorological conditions.
Prolonged exposure to polluted air has been linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, impaired lung development in children, and a range of chronic health conditions. While city-level air action plans and monitoring systems are in place, speakers pointed to persistent implementation gaps and limited sustained public engagement as key challenges.
Speaking at the event, Prof. V. Faye McNeill, Vice Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Chemical Engineering and Earth & Environmental Sciences at Columbia University, New York, emphasised the need to bridge science, policy, and public action.
"Air pollution is not only an environmental concern but a public health challenge that requires coordinated action across science, policy, technology, and society. Engaging with students, institutions, and policymakers is critical to building long-term, evidence-based solutions that are locally relevant," she said.
Dr. Kalyan Rudra, Chairman, West Bengal Pollution Control Board, underscored the importance of collaboration, stating, "Improving air quality demands sustained and collective efforts from government agencies, academic institutions, and citizens. Dialogues such as this help align scientific knowledge with policy action and strengthen our shared responsibility to protect public health."
The dialogue also marked the launch of India for Clean Air, a collaborative platform aimed at promoting citizen-led and institution-driven action on air pollution. The initiative seeks to actively
engage students, youth groups, and civil society organisations through local interventions focused on waste management, sustainable mobility, and circular economy practices.
Organisers shared that the next phase of the initiative will involve piloting community- and campus-based actions across multiple cities, while creating opportunities for young people to contribute to awareness-building, data collection, and local solution design.
Participants concluded that moving beyond episodic responses towards year-round air quality management, grounded in reliable data, institutional coordination, and active public participation, will be critical for Indian cities to make meaningful progress on clean air and public health.