20 pollution monitoring centres by October

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 16

The government has decided to set up 20 new air quality monitoring stations this year before winter when the air quality deteriorates significantly owing to multiple reasons. Processing of tenders has already started and this process will be completed by April, said the government.

The stations will monitor eight parameters namely PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, Benzene, Ammonia and Ozone.

The Department of Environment will complete the tendering process by April for which the consultancy wing of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is working as bid manager.

Environment Minister Imran Hussain reviewed the work progress in a meeting on strengthening of network of Ambient Air Quality monitoring in Delhi and instructed officials to expedite the matter for the timely completion of the project.