A collective of environmentally conscious citizens in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has issued a strong appeal to all political parties contesting the upcoming municipal elections. They are demanding that concrete and actionable measures for clean air and environmental protection be prominently included in the parties' election manifestos. The group warns that air pollution has escalated into a severe public health emergency, necessitating immediate political commitment.
Citizen Group Highlights Civic Failures
United under the banner of 'We, The Environmentalists (Aamhi Paryavaranpremi)', the activists have pointed a finger at multiple alleged civic failures that are contributing to the city's deteriorating air quality. The organisation's convener, Rupesh Kalantri, listed several key issues during their campaign. These include the rampant open burning of garbage, an inadequate public transport system, and the absence of timers at traffic signals. Furthermore, the group highlighted unchecked pollution from crematoriums, widespread violations of construction norms, and the illegal sale of parking spaces which exacerbates chronic traffic congestion.
Alarming Data and Transparency Concerns
To back their claims, the organisation cited official data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). According to their analysis, the levels of harmful particulate matter – both PM2.5 and PM10 – in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar remain in the "poor" category for nearly 200 to 290 days every year. This persistent poor air quality poses a continuous health risk to residents. Adding to the concern, the group raised questions about transparency, noting that data from one of the city's three air quality monitoring stations is not being received regularly, hindering accurate assessment and public awareness.
Seeking Political Accountability for Public Health
Activist Mahendra Zagade explained the group's proactive approach. "We have written to various political parties and are seeking meetings with poll candidates to press for clear policy commitments," he stated. Zagade emphasized that air pollution is no longer just an environmental issue but a major public health crisis. He identified children, senior citizens, outdoor workers, street vendors, and economically weaker sections of society as the worst affected by the toxic air.
The citizens' campaign has begun to elicit responses from political quarters. When contacted, Shiv Sena district president Rajendra Janjal affirmed his party's commitment to improving air quality in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He pinpointed public transport as a key solution, stating, "Effective public transport could address multiple air quality-related issues. We will ensure the city gets the best public transport in the days to come." Representatives from other political parties have also expressed similar commitments, signaling that the issue of clean air is gaining traction on the electoral agenda.
