Air pollution takes toll on residents’ health

Rifat Mohidin

Srinagar, April 14

With Srinagar still struggling to be back on track after the floods, the increasing air pollution is becoming another worry for commuters for whom travelling has turned out to be a nightmare.

With most of the roads in Srinagar in dilapidated condition and subsequent degradation due to rains and waterlogging during the past couple of months, roads in Kashmir have started emitting a large quantity of dust, which is becoming a threat to the health of people.

Residents are facing a hard time in coping with the increasing air pollution, including visible dust on the roads. “The situation in Srinagar has worsened after the recent waterlogging and excessive rain. Most of the roads and lanes are in shambles which has given rise to dust. It is too difficult to prevent these dust particles even while using protection like face masks. The administration must wake up to the problem before Kashmir becomes Delhi,” said Sumaya Ahmad, a university student.

Many believe that the condition has only worsened after last year’s floods given the volumes of dust on roads, but the actual figures are not available as most of the air monitoring equipment of the J&K State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) got damaged in the September deluge.

As industrial development is low in Kashmir, the increasing air pollution in Kashmir towns and cities is largely attributed to dust emanating from roads.

People have also blamed delay by the government in repairing the roads in Srinagar and uptown areas which were washed away in the September floods.

“The government is not paying attention to repair the roads in Srinagar permanently. All roads were damaged in the devastating floods and they need a major repair so that we can breathe easily. Excessive pollution has led to health hazards among us,” said a resident of Solina, Srinagar.

Experts in the Valley have warned that the increase in pollution can lead to air-borne diseases. “The increase in air pollution, particularly dust, can lead to respiratory problems among people and also skin allergies,” said Dr Salim Khan, who heads the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at Srinagar’s oldest hospital, Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital.