The latest Environment Status Report 2024-25 (ESR 24-25) of Nagpur city claimed that PM10 is the city’s most worrying factor and control and management policies of particulate matter (PM) need to be oriented in the city. According to the ESR, PM10 levels are highest near Hingna, followed by North Ambazari Road. PM10 at Wadi in the outskirts of the city is less than the other locations and the annual average value is close to the threshold of 60 ug/m3. It also mentioned that the trend analysis of annual average PM10 suggested exceeding to the annual average Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines value of 60ug/m3.

 

The Ambient Air Quality Monitoring stations (AAQMS) in city are operated by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and CPCB. The ESR recommended that AAQMSs in city need to maintain properly to provide consistent and reliable data. A transparent auditing practice is required for these stations. The ESR blamed the road network of the city as it is changing from flexible to stiff pavement. Therefore, it is necessary to access the silt load from the various routes. Road dust is a major contributor of PM10 and it should be cleaned and monitored. The report also suggested that CSIR-NEERI will carry out study for silt load of Nagpur roads and estimate the road dust re-suspension. This recommendation in the report exposes the claims of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) about cleaning of dust from roads in the city with the help of specialised machines. The report also blamed roadside parking for air pollution in city as traffic congestion due to parking of cars on both sides of the road in residential neighbourhood has become a big menace in the city. Many areas are witnessing the narrowing down of the roads due to car parking on the space near the houses. It revealed that the residents themselves get exposed to the micro-pollutants released due to vehicle halts. To curb this, appropriate policies need to be implemented to reduce the pollution induced by the vehicular traffic halts due to on-street parking.

 

The report stated that sampling of road dust is necessary considering the city road’s transition from unpaved to paved. The report also advised that the information on the ongoing polluting activities need to be updated regularly in a pre-defined format. This includes updating of number of new construction activity, closing of completed construction activity, number of dead bodies in crematoria, new hotels, restaurants, etc. Mentioning about open burning, the ESR advised that, residents must observe appropriate guidance on solid waste management. NMC should take strict action against open burning in city to mitigate air pollution. The report also mentioned that the Solid Waste Department of NMC should issue a SOP for the respective zones mentioning the day and time for collection of garden waste.