Kolkata, 19 January (H.S.) : The Calcutta High Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the rising pollution levels in West Bengal, particularly in the state capital Kolkata. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul ordered the registration of a suo motu public interest litigation on the issue.

The court also directed that two other public interest litigations already filed on the issue of pollution be linked with the suo motu case. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on January 28. All parties associated with the earlier public interest litigations have been directed to remain present in court on that day.

Sources said that notices have been issued to both the Central government and the West Bengal government in connection with the suo motu public interest litigation. The Union government has already confirmed receipt of the notice.

The High Court took cognisance in view of the steadily deteriorating air quality and rising pollution levels in Kolkata during the ongoing winter season. On several days this winter, Kolkata’s air quality was recorded to be worse than that of Delhi, which frequently remains in focus due to alarming pollution levels.

A recent report has pointed out that during the year 2025, Kolkata’s air quality was not affected only by particulate matter but also by toxic gaseous pollutants. Nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone emerged as major contributors to air pollution in the city.

According to the report, Kolkata’s air quality was primarily driven by these toxic gaseous pollutants on 82 days in 2025. The analysis was prepared by a climate-technology organisation.

The report observed that while particulate matter continues to be a major concern, data indicate that air toxicity in Kolkata has become increasingly multi-pollutant in nature, with gaseous emissions playing a significant role in determining daily health risks.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh