No air quality monitoring station in state’s 16 dists
POLLUTION AUDIT PPCB plans to adopt the Haryana model for monitoring air quality
BATHINDA: As several parts of north India are in the grip of a multi-pollutant crisis, there is no automated air quality monitoring station in 16 districts of Punjab.
The state has air quality monitoring stations only at eight places in six districts — Ludhiana (Khanna, Mandi Gobindgarh and Ludhiana city) and one each in Bathinda, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Patiala and Rupnagar.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) is planning to adopt the model of the neighbouring state of Haryana by establishing a vast network of continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS).
PPCB member secretary Krunesh Garg told HT on Tuesday that a section of residents is under panic after getting unverified data of pollutant levels from various online platforms.
“We need an extensive network of monitoring stations but the paucity of funds is a problem for the implementation. However, we hope to strengthen our air quality check stations at more locations by March for better monitoring and planning solutions,” he said.
Garg said no verified public or private entity in the state is doing a regular monitoring or analysis of air quality.
“Certain mobile phone applications and online portals are releasing air quality data that is not backed by a verified scientific mechanism. Such data is creating panic among citizens and we are working to provide real-time data of air quality at more places,” he added.
VAST NETWORK OF STATIONS IN HARYANA
Haryana has 23 CAAQMS in 22 districts and it is considered the first state with a vast network of monitoring stations.
Real-time data about air quality is shared simultaneously by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) on their websites and mobile phone application. Also, digital display boards showing air quality have been erected at all sites for public viewing in Haryana.
AUTOMATED STATIONS TO BE SET UP
“We have planned to install automated CAAQMS at all district headquarters and more stations at the identified vulnerable cities, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar for round-the-clock monitoring of pollution levels,” said Garg.
Prof VK Garg of the department of environmental science and technology of Bathindabased Central University of Punjab said real-time data availability can create more awareness among the stakeholders about the air quality.