IMPACTS ON AIR QUALITY INDEX IN THE INDUSTRIAL TOWN OF ASANSOL (WEST BENGAL, INDIA) DUE TO COVID-19 LOCKDOWN

Abstract

The lockdown phase associated with COVID-19 pandemic initiated in full swing on and from 25th March, 2020 as preventive measures against the spreading of Corona virus. The objective of this study is to analyse the status of air quality of before and after lockdown in Asansol city which is second largest city of West Bengal, India and also known as "coal mining city". Secondary data of five parameters like CO, SO 2, NO 2, PM2.5 and PM10 have been collected from Central Pollution Control Board, India. The result shows significant decrease of five parameters from 42.4 % (CO) to 63.4 % (NO 2) due to close down of all industrial and transport activities during lockdown period. Based on different investigation a green belt development plan for this polluted city has been suggested for sustainable air quality management.