With the onset of winter now, the pollution level is likely to increase further. This is because the dust could hang over the city sky, making it wrapped under a thick smog. This has already reduced the visibility, particularly in night and resulted in a great hardship to vehicular traffic. The problem is widespread in localities situated in and around the project sites like Ambedkar Udyan sprawling over 150 acres, Kanshiram Memorial Park spread over 60 acres, Ramabai Rally Sthal of 52 acres, Smirti Upvan of 101 acres and Buddh Vihar Park of around 50 acres. This is confirmed by the latest report of the UP Pollution Control Board (PCB), according to which the current level of pollution is much more than that of the corresponding period previous year. While a detailed report is still under preparation, a survey conducted up to November reveals that the suspended particulate matter (SPM) count per cubic metre ranged between 394 and 420 in different parts of the city. The latest report of the UP Pollution Control Board (PCB), confirms that the current level of pollution is much more than that of the corresponding period previous year. While a detailed report is still under preparation, a survey conducted up to November reveals that the suspended particulate matter (SPM) count per cubic metre ranged between 394 and 420 in different parts of the city. This might even cross the 500 cubic metremark by the end of December. As for the project sites mentioned above, the pollution level, according to a senior scientist, will be well over 1,500 per cubic metre. However, the PCB has not ventured to measure the pollution level of these places for fear of repercussion from the government, confides a senior official. What is main cause of worry is the dust released in the air. Roughly, 15 per cent material go waste in the process of cutting and dressing of the stone. This includes the dust and chips coming out in the process of stone cutting and dressing. The dust part is estimated to be around 3% to 5%. The total area of the above-mentioned projects is around 413 acres. In term of volume, the stone needed per acre, according to a senior official, is estimated to be around 550 cubic metre. In terms of weight, this would come around 1,375 metric tonne per acre. This is worked out on the basis of volume multiplied by 2.5, which is the specific gravity of sandstone. So, going by this, the stone required for all the five projects will be will be around 5,54,125 metric tonnes. Calculating the dust part from a conservative estimate of 3%, its total volume comes around 16,623 metric tonnes. So far, only 60% of it (approximately 9,975 metric tonnes) is estimated to have been released in the air, as 40% work is still pending in all the five projects.