PATNA: Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) in collaboration with 'India Spend' has installed the air quality monitoring devices in the state capital. In total there are about 45 devices installed in various parts of the country to assess the real time data of air quality in that particular area.
In Patna, there are five devices which gives us a real time data of air quality in that area. "In Patna, we have installed devices in Patna Junction area, Gandhi Maidan, Phulwarisharif, Danapur bus stand and Patna City.
A detail analysis of data will be available on every 15 days. These devices were installed on May 15 in Patna and very soon may be on June 7 all the results or early trends of pollution will be made available to the public", says CEED CEO Ramapati Kumar.
India Spend is India's first independent, streaming air quality monitoring network built on low cost devices.
The basic purpose of installing this device is to inform the public about the real situation. "We hope to engage with government to work together to develop the clean air action plan for Bihar. The data will be used for education purpose as well" Kumar told TOI.
Since the analysis is not available but the early results shows that Patna Junction is most polluted in terms of air quality. Almost every day in last 15 days the air quality index was higher than the prescribed limit.
Phulwarsharif seems to be safer area. For example the air quality index for Patna junction on May 29 reached to 628 (24 hour average). Likewise the air quality index in Patna junction seems to be in poor to severe category.
The air quality monitoring device will help the local campaign in Patna as it will bring a kind of transparency on data management. As anybody can see the level of air pollution in real time by going online. "We do hope to see more and more data being released to the public by BSPCB (State pollution Control Board)", Kumar said.
CEED is working in Bihar towards "clean air action plan" and intend to expand the campaign in rest part of Bihar. Also keeping in mind the recent NGT order, it is the responsibility of state not only to share the level of pollution with public but also to take corrective measures to improve the air quality in Patna and rest of Bihar. "We urge the Bihar government to take this issue seriously before it get out of hand. The NGT order need to be implemented in totality", he said.
Bihar need to move towards clean energy because a large amount pollution coming from diesel generator, clean cooking as 90% HH in Bihar areas till using the solid fuel and in Patna alone about 36% HH are on bio mass for cooking.
The implementation of 15 year old vehicle is really poor or ineffective in Patna. There is no check on polluting vehicle and even auto rickshaws are openly using the kerosene oil. All these lead to a massive pollution which is creating a big health issue, said an expert.
