About a year and a half back, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had rated Ahmedabad the country’s worst-polluted city. But despite the measures taken by the authorities, nothing seems to have changed. A study by the Eureka Forbes Institute of Environment finds that the city’s position remains the same and its air as foul.
The Eureka Forbes study measured levels of suspended particulate matter (SPM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in ten cities for over one week. SPM levels in Ahmedabad were highest on eight days. The worst was on January 23, with SPM at 599 micrograms per cubic metre of air. On that day, Kolkata was next worse-off with SPM at 329 micrograms per cubic metre.
The study found Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata coming next on various days. But Ahmedabad was consistently found the worst. Even on January 27, when SPM in Ahmedabad was the lowest at 371 micrograms per cubic metre, the city was worst.
The Eureka Forbes study doesn’t cover the whole city. Sensors assess SPM, SO2, and NOx levels only on Ashram Road. But since the road is arterial, the figures are a good index of what’s wrong with the city air. Experts say Gujarat Pollution Control Board’s (GPCB) own monitoring yields similar figures.
GPCB chairman K.V. Bhanujan admitted that SPM levels at Nehru Brige were close to 500 micrograms per cubic metre, but said this was normal in winter.
‘‘The high levels can’t be justified, but the fact is they shoot up in winter,’’ he said. ‘‘We soon plan to launch measures to ensure the levels come down.’’
That’s a refrain long heard, but one that has hardly been translated into action that brings results. For the figures show that the Air Action Plan, launched in November 2003 has come to naught — there’s no improvement at all.
What needs to be done? Everyone seems to know the answers: act against fuel adulteration, encourage the use of CNG, abandon the use of old vehicles, stop burning leaves, garbage, rubber. But Ahmedabad has failed in implementation.
GPCB continues to go slow. Last month it said it would revamp its pollution-monitoring machines. That hasn’t happened yet: officials say better machines will be installed next week. GPCB announces seminars: soon another will be held to teach its employees the correct monitoring procedure. And it plans to bring out posters, brochures, booklets etc on checking pollution. GPCB also claims that another concerted drive, involving civil supplies officials, will be launched against the use of adulterated fuel.
There’s nothing new about all that, and these things have been said for long. Bhanujan’s comment: ‘‘We are in process of implementing specific measures but bringing down pollution levels is a slow and steady process. They cannot be brought down in a week.’’
Cops’ cycle initiative
To reduce pollution and improve fitness, policemen in Ahmedabad will take to bicycles. The Satellite, Naranpura, Navrangpura, Ghatlodia, and Ellis Bridge police stations have been provided 10 bicycles each for patrolling. The initiative comes from Deputy Commissioner Ajaykumar Tomar, who’s in charge of the city’s Zone II. ‘‘It’s not only the physical fitness of my force that was a concern, but also the rising pollution in the city,’’ he said. As part of the initiative, the police department organised a cycle rally on Friday morning. Some 8,000 participants — students, professionals, even builders— cycled 6 km to spread the word on checking pollution and keeping healthy. The rally was flagged off by Minister of State for Home Amit Shah. Police Commissioner K. Kaushik was the chief guest.