CSIR-NATIONAL Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIRNEERI) has conducted an air quality monitoring study of Nagpur city to mitigate air pollution under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). With the help of Drone-assisted Vertical Air Profiling Technology which is developed by CSIR-NEERI, it has identified 16 most polluted locations in the city that require mitigation to improve the air quality. As per the study, Kalamna, Pardi Square, Sitabuldi, Medical Square, Itwari, Manewada Square, Manish Nagar,Trimurty Nagar, Hingna MIDC, Wadi are the major areas where mitigation action is required. “With the help of the drone ‘NEERIKSHAN-AQ’, we carried out the study at 16 different locations where air pollution has been high due to various reasons,” Sangita Goel, Principal Scientist, Environmental Audit and Policy Implementation Division, CSIR-NEERI told The Hitavada. “A meeting was held which was chaired by Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B. In the meeting, we shared findings of the study and advised the stakeholders to take action to reduce air pollution in city,” she added. Goel also said, “Radhakrishnan B directed RTO Department to check PUC status of vehicles regularly in these localities and fine vehicles causing pollution. He instructed Maha Metro to improve quality of roads under its jurisdiction.”

 

The Z-axis data capturing is very critical for different inferences and can be reliably collected with this device at high precision of altitude and difficult locations. New generation sensors and CSIR-NEERI’s expertise in Air Quality Monitoring make this UAV added device a very powerful tool for environmental professionals and agencies. “We have completed the study in two months. Currently, we are working on preparing the report,” said Goel. “We have advised the authorities to implement the mitigation plans in two stages -- short and long terms. To take measures for short term, the Municipal Commissioner has been asked to work on reduction of dust from city roads,” said the scientist. Dr Shweta Banerjee, Executive Engineer, Environment Department, NMC, said, “For short term mitigation, NMC will do the maintenance of roads in the 16 identified localities. Unpaved roads will be converted into tar roads while water will be sprinkled on some unpaved roads causing air pollution.” For long term mitigation, NMC will plan alternate routes to reduce vehicular traffic on pollution-prone localities in the city, Dr Banerjee added. “We have completed tendering process to remove construction and demolition (C&D) waste from different localities.The work will start soon.

 

The C&D waste treatment plant is already functional in Bhandewadi which is helping to reduce air pollution in city,” she said. In the meeting, Dr Atul Vaidya, Director, CSIR-NEERI was prominently present. Dr Padma Rao, Chief Scientist and Head, Environmental Audit and Policy Implementation Division, CSIR-NEERI briefed about NCAP as a national-level strategy for reducing air pollution. Nagpur comes under the 131 non-attainment cities listed in the NCAP which require immediate mitigation. As per World Health Organisation, Nagpur was identified as the most polluted city in Maharashtra, and ranked 84 in the World. Central Pollution Control Board has prepared the non-attainment list of the country which has three cities of Vidarbha -- Nagpur, Chandrapur and Wardha. Nagpur is getting fund from the Central Government under the NCAP to mitigate air pollution. The study is a part of the same initiative.