Tall buildings to help in smog watch: CPCB
After much flak for the worsened condition of the national capital, CPCB has come up with suggestions.
In Short
- CPCB has been looking into options to cut down the pollution level in Delhi.
- It claims that tall buildings might help in curbing pollution levels.
- The scientists are calling this Comprehensive Integrated Monitoring System.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is looking forward to constructing a 'tall' office building which would soar over crowded Delhi and help it in monitoring the city's wind patterns and ambient air quality levels accurately. They board also asked for fresh and the most modern equipment besides access to satellite data.
Currently, the apex pollution monitoring body operates from an office in Karkardooma, east Delhi, called 'Parivesh Bhavan,' which lies in one of the most congested areas of the city. There are several educational institutions, office complexes, towering malls, restaurants, dhabas and elevated Metro stations in its vicinity.
CPCB's old and un-calibrated pollution monitoring machines have also come in for much criticism.
Scientists say this 'tall' building is a much-needed facility in view of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) issuing a notification for a 'graded pollution response action plan' which would be implemented pan-NCR (National Capital Region).
To enforce the plan, CPCB will have to generate an average Particulate Matter 10 (PM 10) and PM 2.5 figure for the whole region daily. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials will assist them.
For this, an unhindered air flow is required, said officials. A senior CPCB scientist said, "We call this the 'Comprehensive Integrated Monitoring System' which would serve as a 'nerve centre' or a 'command centre' of all departments to help implement the 'graded pollution response plan."
Meanwhile, EPCA conducted a meeting of senior officials of Delhi and neighbouring states to rollout the 'graded pollution response plan' on Friday. With the air quality falling under 'very poor' category, EPCA said measures like ban on garbage burning have been enforced.
Also read | CPCB promises clear air to residents living near railway stations