Air Pollution Monitor Gathering Dust in Nagpur

@ Times of India - The new, state-of-the-art ambient air quality monitor of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is lying disused at the Divisional Commissionerate square as the officials of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) are yet to inspect it. The device, costing about Rs1 crore was provided to MPCB local office in December by CPCB itself. An MPCB official said on the condition of anonymity that the device was ready for commissioning but the local office was waiting for a nod from CPCB and MPCB head office. "CPCB officials were supposed to visit the city in this month," he added.

This device continuously monitors the ambient air quality and the results will be displayed on MPCB's website. The existing ones do it only for two days a week and the paper has to be changed manually. This automatic device measures levels of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, ammonia and particular matter (PM) 10 and PM 2.5. On the basis of this data, MPCB can determine the level of metals like lead in its laboratory.

MPCB has four other devices which are installed at Institute of Engineers on North Ambazari Road, Government Polytechnic, Udyog Bhavan and office of MIDC Industries Association (MIA) in Hingna. Question marks have been raised over the choice of location of the device. According to environmentalist Sudhir Paliwal, if the air quality of Nagpur was to be determined on the basis of the new device then it will present a wrong picture because of its location. "It should have been installed at a place like Sitabuldi, Itwari or Sadar which are highly polluted. The existing devices too have been put up at places where pollution level is low," he said.

Paliwal further said that such devices should be put up in localities like Mankapur, Nara, Nari and like others which bear the brunt of emissions of Koradi and Khaparkheda power plants. "Koradi plant is being expanded and soon air pollution in north Nagpur will reach alarming levels. This, however, will not be properly reflected by the readings taken in Civil Lines," he added.