Don’t use central funds for air quality monitors in 131 cities, says CPCB

The Central Pollution Control Board has written to 131 non-attainment cities (which did not meet the particulate matter standard for 5 years) asking them to stop procurement of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) systems using central funds.

The order, issued on November 22, states that such procurement is likely to hamper air quality monitoring in cities with sparse real-time monitors, including several cities in the Indo-gangetic Plains (IGP) that record high air pollution levels.

There are 374 CAAQMS in the country according to CPCB.

“We are not sure how many cities have placed work orders for more procurements. This direction has to be followed by all non-attainment cities getting funds for air pollution control,” a CPCB official said.

The letter states that no fresh work orders should be issued to procure CAAQM systems under central funds.

“If procurement is at a stage where funds have not been transferred then no further transfer of funds should be done; if funds have already been transferred to procure CAAQMS, then the matter should be referred to the Union environment ministry for taking a view,” it added.

“We have issued this order because right now, we want to focus on control of air pollution and not on procuring expensive equipment,” said a senior CPCB official familiar with the matter.