In a major step to combat air pollution, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government has announced plans to create an 800-kilometre-long green corridor along the state’s border with Jharkhand. Dubbed a “Green Wall", this forested belt will serve as a bioshield, intercepting airborne pollutants before they enter urban areas and helping to improve air quality across Bengal, particularly during the winter months when smog levels peak. The corridor aims to provide both ecological and public health benefits, acting as a natural barrier against dust, industrial emissions, and vehicular pollution.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has allocated approximately Rs 100 crore in its 2026-27 budget to support anti-pollution measures, which include this ambitious green corridor project. In addition to tree plantations, the civic body plans to invest in advanced road-cleaning and maintenance equipment. These include self-propelled road-sweeping machines, battery-operated mechanical sweepers, litter-suction devices, and high-pressure water sprinklers to curb dust accumulation on streets and reduce particulate matter in the air.
Winter 2025 saw a significant deterioration in Kolkata’s air quality, with PM 2.5 levels rising to concerning levels. Officials noted that the COVID-19 lockdown had inadvertently provided a benchmark for cleaner air, showing how much urban activity contributes to pollution. Even during periods of minimal human activity, air quality failed to improve beyond 47 per cent of safe levels, highlighting the urgent need for long-term environmental interventions.
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Dr Kalyan Rudra, the architect of the Green Wall project, explained that the initiative is designed not only to mitigate pollutants but also to create a continuous forested ecosystem that can support biodiversity. Native plant species will be prioritised to ensure the corridor functions as an ecological buffer, while also enhancing soil stability, groundwater recharge, and local climate regulation. By linking patches of forest and green cover along the 800-km stretch, the project aims to prevent ecological fragmentation and create a sustainable green belt for the future.
The Green Wall initiative will also include community engagement and awareness programmes, encouraging local populations to participate in tree planting, maintenance, and environmental monitoring. Authorities believe that active participation from residents, schools, and civic bodies will be critical to ensure the corridor thrives and maintains its effectiveness against seasonal pollution.
Experts have praised the project as a forward-thinking approach, noting that similar initiatives in other countries have successfully reduced particulate matter and improved urban air quality. By establishing a bioshield on such a large scale, Bengal hopes to demonstrate how strategic environmental planning can complement industrial regulation and urban governance in tackling pollution.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation plans to roll out the first phase of the Green Wall project by late 2026, prioritising high-pollution zones along key industrial corridors and transport hubs. Combined with modern street-cleaning technologies and stricter emission regulations, the initiative represents a holistic approach to urban air management, aiming to protect public health, enhance liveability, and promote ecological sustainability across West Bengal.
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