GPCB ups vigil on Vatva units

AHMEDABAD: Amdavadis can hope to breathe fresher air in the coming months as Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) will be implementing a detailed air action plan in its sustained effort to keep the city air clean.SK Nanda, principal secretary, ministryof forests and environment, Gujarat, said, "Vatva, one of the most pollutedareas in the city, will be in focus this time. We will be having a third partyinspection for industrial units in Vatva and this will be monitored onday-to-day basis to check their pollution level.""The industrialunits have to use the latest technology to comply with amended ambient airquality norms. If the units fail to comply, GPCB will take action against theerring units. The implementation of the plan will begin soon. The plan includesdetailed monitoring of air pollutants in the city and measures initiated to keepthat in check," Nanda said.Nanda also praised the BRTS system. Hesaid, "In the long run, BRTS will play a crucial role in improving the airquality of the city."In 2001, Ahmedabad had earned the dubiousdistinction of being the fourth most polluted city in terms of air quality,according to a study conducted of among 85 cities in India by Central PollutionControl Board (CPCB), Delhi. Later, Environment Pollution Prevention& Control Authority (EPCA), constituted by Union ministry of environment andforests as per the Supreme Court's order, under chairman Bhure Lal and memberSunita Narain, conducted special review meetings in 2008 for BRTS project in thecity and in 2009 at New Delhi.However, after a slew of measurestaken by state government like introducing CNG system in public transport,regular PUC check, and continuous air monitoring of industrial units, thequality of air in Ahmedabad improved. From the fourth most polluted city in2001, Ahmedabad ranked 13th in 2005, 43rd in 2006 and a respectable 66th in2008.Under the CPCB-run National Ambient Monitoring Programme (NAMP)which now covers 126 cities, four air pollutants Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxidesof Nitrogen (NO2), Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable SuspendedParticulate Matter (RSPM) have been identified for regular monitoring at all thelocations.In the recently published GPCB annual report, 2008-09, theresults of ambient air quality monitoring in residential areas under NAMPindicate that RSPM level of 198 microgram per cubic meter in 2001 has come downto 80 microgram per cubic meter in 2008 indicating improved quality ofair.Also, Regional Transport Office in Ahmedabad has gone strict oncompliance with EURO IV norms. RTO officer AB Gor said, "The authorities arestrictly following the new EURO IV norms. Even for transfer of vehicles fromother states, EURO IV compliance is necessary." At present, GPCB monitors theair quality at 14 stations.