Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been actively monitoring ambient air quality in the country through a network of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAQMS). The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) were notified in 2009, providing guidelines for the measurement of pollutants and monitoring methodology.
According to the latest data provided by CPCB, there are 15 CAQMS stations operating in various cities, including Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore, and Chennai, on a real-time basis. Additionally, there are 7 manual stations in Delhi to monitor air quality. The budget allocation and expenditure for the operation and maintenance of these stations over the past three years have been detailed in Annexure III.
Several projects have been undertaken to address air pollution in different regions. These projects include the deployment and evaluation of air purification units for traffic junction pollution abatement in Delhi, control of dust emissions using dust suppressants, and pilot projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of air pollution mitigation technologies.
The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, provided this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. The data shows the commitment of the government towards monitoring and improving air quality in the country.
The revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards, as well as the budget allocation and expenditure for the operation and maintenance of CAQMS stations, highlight the efforts being made to combat air pollution and protect public health. Stay tuned for more updates on air quality monitoring and pollution control measures.