State-UK varsity pact to improve air quality
Bengal government and University of Strathclyde, Institute for Future Cities, join hands to reduce carbon emissions in city
Kolkata: In a significant stride to reduce carbon emissions and to tackle the problem of deteriorating air quality in the city, the state Environment department on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK-based University of Strathclyde, Institute for Future Cities (USIFC). The MoU was signed after a meeting with senior officials of the state Environment department and USIFC at the 5th edition of Bengal Global Business Summit.
"The main objective of the MoU is to identify solutions that are appropriate and affordable for Kolkata. We will work out a plan for better monitoring of air quality and come up with a holistic strategy to improve air quality. We will plan out clean and green alternatives to address the air pollution issue in the city," said director of UFISC Richard Bellingham.
According to Bellingham, some of the reasons that have been contributing to deteriorating air quality index in the city include vehicular pollution, dust from construction sites, use of coal and wood for cooking."
There are a number of hi-tech solutions but it will not be possible to introduce all those in Kolkata," he said.
UFISC has worked in Glasgow, Scotland, and is working in a number of Europeon cities to tackle pollution problems.
"This is for the first time that we are working in India and our venture begins from Kolkata. This will be a five-year project," Bellingham said.
A team from the University will be soon visiting the city to have a detailed mapping of the issues that have been contributing in the poor air quality index. The Bengal Chamber and the Calcutta University will also be acting as partners in the initiative.
The state government and the University of Strathclyde Institute for Future Cities will be working together to arrange for funds to work towards a solution. "Hopefully, there will be more than one agency which will contribute in raising funds," a senior USIFC official said.
"We are approaching the whole issue with an open mind and we want to take suggestions from all organisations to make things sustainable," Bellingham said.
