Kolkata to use rose water in mist spraying for air quality

West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul has stated that rose water will be mixed with water used for mist spraying in Kolkata on special occasions to help control air pollution. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has been spraying water mist in areas with high Air Quality Index (AQI) to reduce dust particles and improve air quality.

Ms. Paul said the addition of rose water would not only help control dust but also spread a pleasant fragrance, aiming to make the city cleaner and more habitable. She noted the difference in AQI levels between London and Kolkata, expressing concern for residents' health.

Environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh criticized the proposal, arguing that such measures are cosmetic and do not address the root causes of pollution. He suggested that the city needs concrete actions, such as curbing emissions from vehicles and transitioning roadside eateries to cleaner cooking systems. Ghosh also proposed using water cannons to wash roads and other surfaces to settle dust.

Source: The Hindu