MPCB proposes 3 more CAAQMS in city for improved air quality

 

 

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is planning to install three more Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in Nagpur soon to improve the air quality of the city. Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Nagpur city, last year got three CAAQMS which were installed at three different places apart from the existing one which was providing the air quality data of city for the last many years. “To monitor the air quality of Nagpur city, MPCB will provide three more CAAQMS to the second capital of Maharashtra apart from the existing four stations.

 

The process of procurement has already been initiated and soon, three more will start providing air quality data of Nagpur,” said Siddhesh Kadam, Chairman, MPCB while interacting with media here on Thursday. Kadam, on Thursday, chaired a review meeting on environment and pollution related issues in Nagpur city with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). In the meeting, the MPCB Chairman discussed four major issues with NMC officials which included STP, solid waste management, air quality improvement and strict implementation of single-use plastic. To improve air quality, MPCB will also provide six new road sweeping machinesto NMC and the procurement process is underway. To clean city roads, NMC will use sewage-treated water in these sweeping machines which will help to reduce the road dust. Kadam also informed that NMC is going to convert all its diesel buses into electric buses soon and the fund has already been allotted to the civic body.

 

When asked about the total fund allotted to Nagpur under NCAP, Kadam said, “Nagpur city got Rs 132.60 crore under NCAP Mission by the Central Government, in which NMC utilised 40% fund so far whereas the civic body has assured to utilise 60% of the fund in coming days.” While talking about the crematorium policy, Kadam said, “Maharashtra Government is working to frame a crematorium policy to reduce air pollution caused by such crematoriums in the State. The policy will be implemented in all crematoriums in the State.” Kadam also reviewed the Nag River Pollution Abatement Project on Thursday and directed NMC to find out a temporary arrangement as the project is taking too much time for completion. “I have asked NMC to stop releasing sewage in all the three rivers of the city with the help of some temporary arrangements. The Municipal Commissioner assured me that NMC will soon come up with a plan,” said the MPCB Chairman. Talking about strict ban on single use plastic (SUP), Kadam said, “Under the rules, there is a provision for action against citizens using SUP, but since the fine is high, action is rarely taken against citizens and customers. Therefore, NMC will take the decision on implementation of this rule.” 

 

 

MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam, on Thursday, mentioned that sewage treatment plant (STP) at the source of sewage is needed to stop the spread of Eichhornia weeds in Ambazari Lake. Sewage water is the main cause of spread of Eichhornia weeds in water bodies. Therefore, administrations should work to stop entry of sewage into water bodies to stop the growth of such weeds, he said.