Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday seized around 60 kg of charcoal from hotels and roadside dhabas during a special enforcement drive targeting the sale, supply and use of the fuel. While the move is aimed at checking air pollution in the city, it will also help BMC secure better ranking under Ncap.The action comes a week after BMC mayor Sulochana Das announced the reintroduction of restrictions on charcoal use as part of the civic body’s strategy to curb air pollution. Officials said Bhubaneswar is aiming to improve its Ncap performance from 4th place among 130 cities last year to a position among the top three this year.BMC deputy commissioner N Ganesh Babu said the civic body has intensified enforcement measures against charcoal use, which contributes to the emission of fine particulate matter that affects ambient air quality. “We have intensified raids on the sale, supply and use of charcoal. Multiple teams are working on it. The drive coincides with our week-long Clean Air Blue Sky campaign,” Babu said.The week-long campaign is focused on promoting behavioural changes among residents in waste management and pollution-control practices. According to officials, widespread public participation will play a crucial role in achieving the city’s clean air goals. The Ncap rankings for this year are expected to be released in the third week of Sept.The charcoal crackdown is part of a broader set of measures being implemented by the BMC to reduce pollution levels across the city. Alongside restrictions on traditional cooking fuels, officials are stepping up efforts to prevent the open burning of dry municipal waste, a major source of air pollution in urban areas.The civic body has also intensified dust suppression initiatives, identifying dust from vacant plots and roadside spaces as a significant contributor to deteriorating air quality. Several open spaces are being covered with paver blocks to reduce dust generation while simultaneously improving the appearance of public areas.Officials said these interventions form part of Bhubaneswar’s comprehensive strategy to meet Ncap objectives and improve air quality, particularly during the winter season when pollution levels typically rise. With stricter enforcement and sustained public awareness efforts, the city hopes to strengthen its clean air credentials and secure a place among the top-performing Ncap cities in the country.
