Chandigarh: CPCC shelves plans on more air monitoring units
Chandigarh, January 12
Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) has decided not to establish two additional automatic air quality monitoring stations in the city, despite its earlier plans.
At present, there are three automatic air quality monitoring stations. The decision not to proceed with the two additional automatic stations was based on the existence of a station in Sector 25 and installation of two new ones in Sector 22 and 53, resulting in a total of three automatic monitoring stations in the city.
An official of the CPCC explained that the initial plan was to set up five automatic air monitoring stations, including the existing station in Sector 25 and the newly installed automatic stations in Sector 22 and 53. However, the department deemed the additional two stations unnecessary, leading to the decision to refrain from their installation. The Central Government has also been informed that these two stations will not be established.
The CPCC had previously expressed the need to set up a total of three manual and five automatic monitoring stations for real-time air quality monitoring in the city. At present, the city has six manual air monitoring stations and three automatic ones. Funding from the Central Pollution Control Board supports CPCC’s initiatives to combat air pollution in the city.
The Administration, under the National Clean Air Programme, collaborates with various stakeholder departments, including the Municipal Corporation, State Transport Authority, Department of Urban Planning, Chandigarh Traffic Police, Forest and Wildlife Department, etc. Grants are allocated to these departments by the CPCC to implement measures aimed at reducing air pollution.
Meanwhile, the average air quality index (AQI) today improved to “poor” category from “very poor” category yesterday.
The average AQI level stood at 300 around 9.05 pm in the city, the reading at the continuous ambient air quality monitoring station (CAAQMS) at Sector 22 was 321. The CAAQMA, Sector 53, bordering Mohali, recorded the highest AQI level of 323 and Sector 22 logged 257 (poor).
While the average AQI level stood at 302 around 8.05 pm in the city yesterday.
An increase in AQI causes breathing discomfort to most people on prolonged exposure. The AQI between 301 and 400 is considered “very poor” and can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
On the first day of the year also, the average AQI level stood at 326 in the city.
