Air quality monitoring network in Tamil Nadu to be expanded
Posted on: 06/Jun/2019 10:02:16 AM
In the year 2015 in the Assembly, the project to install 23 air quality monitoring stations in important towns and cities in TN at a cost of Rs 39 crores was announced is known. The latest news is by the end of June month, the state of TN would get 20 more automatic air quality monitoring stations. The sources belonging to the TNPCB or Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board pointed out that at several locations in TN, the commissioning of imported equipment has been going on.
It must not be forgotten that after 2015 two tender calls for the supply of equipment and operating and maintaining for a period of 5 years went without any response. The official explained about how only in the month of October in 2017 that the supply order was placed and how in August 2018 one portion landed in India. It is worthy to note that some parts have come from Goa and the imported equipments and parts together make the instruments. In a phased manner, the company would be installing the instruments.
The official later spoke about how till now Rs 29.5 crores has been released to the company and how rest would be done in a phased manner since the cost is for operation and maintenance. He explained that the maintenance must be done for a time of 5 years and the data would be shared with the TNPCB and Central Pollution Control Board.
The important point to be noted is presently stations at places like Kancheepuram (2), Vellore (2), Trichy (2), Krishnagiri (1), Dindigul (1), Salem (1) and Thiruvallur (1) are ready and trial is being carried out for internet connectivity. At places such as Karur, Namakkal, Pudukottai, Coimbatore, Cuddalore and Virudhunagar etc the company is in the process of installing the equipment.
Information collected is those instruments that are meant for places like Madurai, Thanjavur, Tiruppur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Thirunelveli and Ariyalur etc have landed in respective locations. In the places like Ooty and Ramanathapuram etc, there have been issues with the stations because the building owners have changed their stance and withdrawn approval. Alternative buildings in the above said places have been sought now and this was confirmed by an official.
The expansion of the air quality monitoring network in the state of TN has been appreciated and former TNPCB member secretary Mr. Karthikeyan welcomed the move. He spoke about how the data would help the decision makers address public health concern.
He commented about the air pollution being a serious issue and how continuous monitoring of air pollution could keep the pollution levels under the control. For few years now, the residents and the environmental experts have been demanding that the network to be expanded.
