SMC first to install continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations at 20 locations in Surat

Surat (Gujarat): Now the authorities, denizens, and industries will get real-time air quality data based on 12 parameters, including particulate matter, NO2, SO2, CO2, and the air quality index. Thanks to the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) for taking a first-of-its-kind initiative for installing ‘continous ambient air quality monitoring station’ (CAAQMS) at 20 different locations across the city.

The municipal corporation has collaborated with a foreign firm and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) for the installation of 20 CAAQMS stations across the city to monitor air quality in real-time.

Till now, there were two CAAQMS stations installed in Limbayat and Varachha to automatically monitor ambient air quality. Now, the SMC is installing automatic air quality monitoring stations at 20 different locations.

Surat is home to the highly polluting textile and chemical industries. There are about 400 textile dyeing and printing mills located in and around Surat coupled with chemical factories, sewage treatment plants, and hundreds of under-construction realty projects, which are major causes of pollution. Until now, there was no facility to get real-time automatic updates on air pollution as there were only two stations. The 20 automatic stations will continuously display the pollution levels which will be updated in real-time on the SMC’s website 24×7.

Official sources said the real-time air pollution data will help the corporation in initiating actions against the polluting units in the respective areas. Even the denizens will be able to keep track of the air quality index in their respective areas and inform the corporation and competent authorities of the huge changes in the pollution levels.

The CAAQMS stations have been installed at the Khajod Disposal site, Pandesara Industrial Association junction, Limbayat zone office, Bhatar Sosyo Circle, Hirabaug circle in Varachha, Gajera circle in Katargam, Akhandanand College in Ved Road, Ashwani Kumar road, Dindo over-bridge, Sachin, Delhi Gate, Sahara Darwaja, Udhana Darwaja, Majura Gate, Lal Darwaja, Surat airport, Gujarat Gas, Science Centre, Mora Bhagal, and Simada junction.

The CAAQMS stations will display real-time air quality data on the screens, which will be beneficial to the residents of Surat.