Pollution pill for city

The grim reality of Kochi’s worsening air quality has forced the State Pollution Control Board to be more effective in monitoring the pollution level of the city

The PCB will set up a continuous (online)  ambient air quality monitoring station at Vyttila junction to record the pollution level.

At present, there is a manual testing station to check the air pollution caused by vehicles at OEN India Ltd building at Vyttila Junction. Uncontrollable air pollution has prompted the PCB to install continuous (online) ambient air quality monitoring stations.

The estimated cost of purchasing and installing machine would be around Rs 75 lakh. “The tender proceedings initiated for the  project and would start functioning within four months. The Board will have to find out a proper place to install the system and get sanction from local authorities,” Mythili M S, Chief Environmental Engineer, said.

The objective of the initiative is to scientifically analyse the source of pollution. The anaylser will work round-the-clock. The unit will display the amount of sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide levels. It will also measure meteorological parameters like wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation.

“Data generated by the stations will be closely monitored by the PCB and if the pollution rate is found high, the PCB will ask the Motor Vehicles Department to take appropriate action including reducing the traffic flow in that area,” she said.

According to PCB officials, Vyttila Junction has been identified as one of the critically polluted area in the Kochi with high vehicle movement.

The PCB, in consultation with government authorities, has chalked out an action plan to control and prevent auto air pollution in the city. The pilot project will be implemented at Vyttila, PCB official said.

The main sources of concern are diesel-guzzling vehicles and old heavy vehicles. With the implementation of the new system, the PCB expects to address and solve the issue. The PCB has found excess of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in this area.

The pollution rate is excess in the area during monsoon season. The heavy traffic density in the road and dusty air have been a major cause of concern of the PCB.