Bhubaneswar: Odisha marked the “International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies” on Sunday, September 7, 2025, with a vibrant cycle rally in Bhubaneswar, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to combat air pollution. Held under the theme “Racing For Air,” the event underscored the connection between clean air and human health, performance, and endurance.
The rally, organized by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), saw enthusiastic participation from over 200 cyclists. Shri Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Home, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, flagged off the event, joining cyclists for the 5-kilometer journey from Forest Park to the OSPCB’s state headquarters in Nilakantha Nagar.
ACS Shri Sahu addressed the gathering, emphasizing the growing interest of the community in improving air quality and the government’s commitment to tackling air pollution. He stated that the State Government, in corroboration with public interest and demand, is taking concerted steps through the Department of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change. The rally aimed to raise awareness among the general public, with cyclists chanting slogans and displaying banners on air pollution control.
The event’s theme, “Racing For Air,” aligns with the global campaign for the Sixth International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which aims to accelerate solutions and collective action for clean air. The United Nations General Assembly designated September 7 as this international day in 2019, with the first observance held in 2020. The UN’s resolution highlights the critical need to raise public awareness and promote actions to improve air quality, as air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death globally, causing an estimated 8.1 million premature deaths annually.
The cycle rally is part of a broader push by the Odisha government to address air quality. In addition to initiatives under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP), the state has launched its own “State Clean Air Program (SCAP)” on June 5, 2025. The SCAP aims to achieve a 40% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 levels over five years in 12 urban areas not covered by the NCAP. These areas, which include industrial and mining hubs, are the focus of a ₹150 crore, five-year plan to improve air quality and protect public health.