Baranagar Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today

West Bengal, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5

Baranagar AQI Right Now

74

Category: Satisfactory

Dominant Pollutant: pm10

PM2.5: 38.04 µg/m³

PM10: 73.23 µg/m³

Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.

Baranagar Pollutant Levels

PollutantConcentration
PM2.538.04 µg/m³
PM1073.23 µg/m³
O₃ (Ozone)27.06 µg/m³
NO₂24.14 µg/m³
SO₂3.16 µg/m³
CO381.67 µg/m³

Health Advisory — Baranagar

Satisfactory: Minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.

Health Impact — Baranagar

Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 1.7 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).

Life Expectancy Impact: Sustained exposure at this PM2.5 level could reduce life expectancy by 0.18 years (AQLI estimate, relative to WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³).

Health Recommendations for Baranagar

  • General Population: Acceptable air quality. Unusually sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • Elderly: Minor breathing discomfort is possible.
  • Children: Should be fine outdoors with normal activities.
  • Lung Disease Patients: Consider reducing prolonged outdoor exertion.

Understanding Baranagar Air Quality

Baranagar, a historic municipality on the western bank of the Hooghly River in North 24 Parganas, carries the legacy of Bengal's jute industry era. The town is home to the Baranagar Jute Factory — one of the oldest in India — and several other jute processing units whose fibre dust and boiler emissions contribute to the local particulate load. The dense urban fabric, with industrial units interspersed through residential neighbourhoods, creates proximity-based exposure risks for the population.

Winter months (November–February) bring the worst air quality as temperature inversions over the Hooghly River corridor trap jute mill emissions, vehicular exhaust from BT Road and Barrackpore Trunk Road, and domestic waste burning. Dense morning fog along the riverfront reduces visibility and keeps fine particulates suspended at breathing level. PM2.5 readings frequently enter the Poor range during December–January, closely tracking the broader Kolkata Metropolitan Area pattern.

The monsoon (June–September) provides substantial relief as heavy rainfall cleanses the atmosphere and suppresses road dust. The Hooghly River corridor provides some natural ventilation, particularly during pre-monsoon thunderstorm season. Baranagar's significance extends beyond industry — the Ramakrishna Math, founded here in 1897, and the Dakshineswar Kali Temple nearby attract pilgrims year-round. The town's transition from an industrial to a mixed-use suburban character is gradually shifting its pollution profile from industrial-dominated to traffic-dominated.

Primary Pollution Sources

  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Jute mill emissions
  • Road dust
  • Construction dust
  • Waste burning
  • Industrial emissions (small-scale)

Geography: Northern Kolkata suburb on Hooghly River; historic jute mill town, dense industrial-residential mix, part of KMA airshed

Peak pollution months: November, December, January, February

Frequently Asked Questions — Baranagar

How do jute mills affect Baranagar's air quality?

Baranagar's historic jute mills release fine fibre dust during processing and boiler smoke from steam generation. These mills are embedded within dense residential areas, creating direct exposure for nearby residents. While some mills have reduced operations, the remaining units continue to contribute to elevated PM10 levels, especially during the dry winter months when particulates linger in stagnant air.

Is Baranagar's air quality linked to Kolkata's pollution?

Yes, Baranagar shares the Kolkata Metropolitan Area airshed along the Hooghly River corridor. Regional emissions from Kolkata's traffic, industries, and waste burning influence Baranagar's readings. Winter inversions trap pollutants across the entire metropolitan area, making it impossible to separate local from regional air quality impacts.

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