Ahmedabad improves its ranking from 2nd to 12th most polluted city

Ahmedabad, Mar 17 (UNI) The Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) has complimented various agencies for bringing down the level of air pollution in the city over the last two years.

The two-member authority, comprising EPCA members Bhure Lal and Sunita Narayan told reporters here today that the level of air pollution has for the first time come down in Ahmedabad.

During their last visit here, they had found the level was still rising.

Quoting a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) figures, they said Ahmedabad has drastically improved its ranking from the second most air polluted city to 12th place.

They said New Delhi has also improved its ranking to 16th slot, thanks to vigorous efforts to introduce CNG buses and autorickshaws in the national capital.

On the other hand, they said, Raipur (capital of Chhattisgarh) has replaced Kanpur as the most polluted city.

The statutory authority was earlier appointed by the Supreme Court to monitor and suggest ways to reduce air pollution in New Delhi. Subsequently, it included the country's eight most polluted cities under its gamut in September 2004.

The pollution level in Ahmedabad city has improved because of the concerted efforts by the State Transport and Ahmedabad Municipal Transport to convert their diesel engines to CNG, they added.

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