Air pollution level declined in Gujarat: Govt

Ahmedabad, July 29: Despite major expansion of chemical and petro-chemcial industries in the state as well as sharp increase in vehicles in cities, the air quality in several cities of Gujarat has improved significantly as the state carried out Air Pollution Action Plan effectively in the past few years, a report claimed.

The air quality in the state has improved due to various parameters adopted by Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), bringing down suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) in Ahmedabad by more than 50 per cent in last six years, he said.

Ambient Air Quality monitoring in residental areas under NAMP programme shows that RSPM was 98 microgram per cubic meter in 2006 as against 198 in 2001. Near Sabarmati River, it was down around 133 in 2006 as against 158 in 2005. Sulphur dioxides and oxides of nitrogen have come down and remained within limits, the compiled by the report GSCB said.

The report said the state government has been promoting usage of CNG gas in vehicles and registering only Bharat II norms vehicles in the state, which has resulted in better air quality.

The state government has been encouraging CNG or LPG in vehicles in Vadodara, Ankleshwar (District Bharuch), Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Vapi and Gandhinagar.

Gujarat accounts for nearly 55 per cent of chemical and petro- chemical production in the country, and Vadodara, Ankleshwar, Jamnagar and Vapi are the major industrial base of such companies.

The GPCB wants the efforts of state government should be stepped up and strengthen to further bring down the RSPM and SPM levels in major cities. The high levels of RSPM and SMP cause respiratory problems in humans.

The report noted that a large number of industries in the state are also shifting to natural gas as fuel and that has also improved air quality.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporaton (AMC) has also planned to construct 12 km corridor as part of Bus Rapid Transit System to enhance public transport. This will also help in reducing pollution in the city.

UNI