Govt to monitor pollution sources in real time: CM

NEW DELHI: To study and control real-time pollution sources in the national capital, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday held a meeting with researchers from Iit-kanpur, Iit-delhi and The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri), before announcing that the Delhi government will work with the research teams to launch a “realtime source apportionment” project in Delhi. The government will also set up an advanced monitoring system of real-time pollution sources, the chief minister said.

Kejriwal on Tuesday tweeted, “IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur and Teri have developed technology for real-time source apportionment of pollution. Had a meeting with their experts. We will work with them to implement it in Delhi. If we know source of pollution on real-time basis, it will help us take immediate action (sic).”

While the technology to carry out real-time source apportionment of pollution already exists in the country, the team of scientists headed by Iit-kanpur will be effectively implementing this project in the national capital.

“The real-time monitoring of pollution sources will help the Delhi government to take immediate action against these sources. The chief minister has directed senior officials to work on the matter and also to submit a proposal before the cabinet. After the cabinet clears it, work will start in full swing,” the Delhi government said in a statement.

The statement added, “This technology will also clarify the factors responsible for the spike in air pollution at a particular spot. It will also help to study the real-time effect of vehicles, dust, and smoke from factories. Based on the results obtained, the Delhi government will be able to take the necessary action to curb sources of pollution.”

A Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) official said the team of scientists, headed by professor Mukesh Sharma, civil engineering department, Iitkanpur, has given a presentation on the technology.

“...we are hoping that in a few months, we will be able to implement the project in Delhi,” the official said.

Noida Police on Tuesday detained the manager of a call centre in sector 63 over allegations that it routed international calls to Jammu and Kashmir.

Police said they acted on information from the department of telecommunications, under the ministry of telecommunications. The police were yet to file an FIR in the case.

“It seems that the call centre was in the business of selling groceries online. On the side, they allegedly routed international calls without a licence,” said deputy commissioner of police (zone 2) Harish Chander.

“We detained a founder for questioning. His wife and another founder are absconding. They are all from Kashmir,” said a senior police officer.

“It is too soon to say anything. The matter is under investigation,” said the DCP.