Kolkata's Maidan area is experiencing deteriorating air quality, particularly during winter months, due to dust from ongoing Metro construction and traffic emissions. The state pollution control board (PCB) has urged Metro Railway to implement water sprinkling at construction sites to mitigate dust. The Victoria Memorial monitoring station recorded numerous "very poor" and "poor" air quality days in December, raising concerns for the hundreds of daily visitors, including children and tourists, who frequent the popular open space.