Balasore announces 7-day restrictions to curb worsening air pollution

Bhubaneswar: Following in the footsteps of Talcher, Angul, the Balasore district administration announced a series of restrictions to check worsening air pollution levels in the town on Monday. The measures, enforced under Section 163(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), will remain in place for 7 days and may be extended if conditions do not improve.According to officials, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Balasore slipped into the “very poor” category, prompting urgent intervention. To curb dust and emissions, construction activities were banned between 6 pm and 10 am, while demolition and earthwork were prohibited within the urban local body limits.Truck movement was also restricted, and open burning of waste was strictly prohibited. Authorities warned that violators will face legal action. “These steps are necessary to safeguard public health. Citizens are requested to cooperate fully with the administration,” an order issued by the district administration read.The restrictions mirror similar measures recently enforced in Talcher, where industrial emissions and coal-related activities pushed pollution levels to alarming highs.Environmental experts welcomed the move but cautioned that temporary bans alone may not be enough. “Long-term strategies such as stricter emission norms, green buffers, and sustainable urban planning are required to ensure cleaner air across Odisha’s towns,” said environmentalist Sailabala Padhi.