Uttarakhand to get 5 monitoring stations to check air pollution
The deteriorating quality of the air in Dehradun city, which is known to have a good climate, has also made the system restless. Air pollution is also on the rise in Rishikesh and Kashipur besides capital Dehradun, in a meeting convened at the secretariat, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh gave instructions to prepare a concrete action plan for this. On this occasion, PCB was instructed to set up three monitoring stations in Dehradun and one each in Rishikesh and Kashipur to monitor air pollution. Departments related to transport corporation, municipal corporation, industry and construction works were also directed to take steps.
Uttarakhand’s Dehradun, Rishikesh and Kashipur are also among the 120 air-polluted cities of the country. Air pollution in these cities has increased by 10 to 15 percent in the last decade. In Dehradun itself, in 2008, the amount of dust particles in the air i.e. PM-10 was 140 to 150 micrograms per cubic meter, which has now increased to between 180 and 200.
The ideal standard is 100. The National Green Tribunal has directed effective measures to prevent air pollution in these three cities of the state as the amount of air pollution exceeds the standards. In view of all this, now governance has also become active. Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh held consultations with officials of various departments related to Transport Department, Municipal Corporation, Industry and Construction besides Pollution Control Board (PCB) to prepare an action plan to control air pollution in all three cities.
In addition to setting up stations for continuous monitoring of air pollution in all three cities, he also stressed on public awareness. He asked the officials to appear in the next meeting with a concrete action plan.
IT Park and Nehru Colony finalized
For Dehradun monitoring of air pollution, site has been selected to establish monitoring station in IT Park and Nehru Colony. Chakrata road is likely to be selected for the third station. Real time data of air pollution will be available on all three monitoring stations.
Also there will be a display of the readings on board. Apart from this, these stations will also be connected to the central government servers. At present, air pollution is tested on manual basis in Raipur, Clock tower and ISBT in Doon.
15 year old diesel vehicles to be phased out
The Chief Secretary directed the MD of the Transport Corporation to study the experiences of other states to get 15-year-old diesel-powered commercial vehicles off the road in a phased manner. He also directed MD Transport and Transport Commissioner to implement CNG and LPG for commercial vehicles, issue cent percent PUC, check the continuous fitness of vehicles in future action plan.
