An Assessment of Air Quality in Siliguri, West Bengal: Current Scenario and Challenges

Air pollution is a growing environmental concern in urban India, and Siliguri is no exception. Located in West Bengal, Siliguri is an important economic hub for northeastern India, strategically positioned near national borders. Rapid urbanization, traffic congestion, industrial activities, and changing land-use patterns have contributed to a concerning increase in air pollution in Siliguri. This article presents an assessment of air quality across Siliguri to understand the sources, variations, and potential mitigation strategies specific to different areas within the city. To evaluate the pollution status in Siliguri, one automatic monitoring station was strategically established at key sites across the city: Babu Para in Ward 33,Tinbatti More areaand another one is in the University of North Bengal campus, by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB). Data from the WBPCB sitesprovided a detailed picture of air quality trends. Additionally, regular primary field surveys were conducted at various locations to pinpoint main pollution sources and understand their effects on public health. The result shows that amount of PM 10 and PM 2.5 the air are excessively higher. The findings also show that pollution levels are heavily influenced by seasonal changes, meteorological conditions, and vehicle quality, highlighting the dynamic air quality in Siliguri and the need for targeted, adaptive management strategies.