Raipur sees fall in air-pollution levels over last two years

Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur has witnessed a decline in air pollution level in the past two years, according to a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report.
"CPCB had submitted a report of annual average air pollution (P.M.10) of 46 prominent towns and cities on February 7 on the floor of the Parliament," an official statement here said today.
"The report mentions that there is a drastic fall in air pollution in the capital Raipur from 2014 to 2016," it said.
The CPCB releases the details of air pollution at regular intervals.
According to the report, in 2014, the average pollution levels was 325 microgram per meter cube in Raipur; it reduced to 190 microgram per meter cube in 2015 which then dipped to 150 microgram per meter cube last year, the release said.

Notably, earlier during a review meeting of the environment department, Chief Minister Raman Singh had instructed the concerned officials to regularly monitor the air quality standard.

"The concerned authorities had prepared a master plan to improve the air quality of the capital and the entire state. According to the departmental protocol, ambient air quality monitoring station is being operated at separate places by separatingRaipurinto grids which will help in controllingpollutionin industrial units operational inRaipur and its adjoining areas through proper monitoring," Housing and Environment Department Principal Secretary Aman Kumar Singh said.
Efforts are being made to check pollutionin the city at five different levels including controlling vehicular pollution, implementation of online monitoring of industrial units, promotion on use of LPG against using firewood, kerosene and biomass for household purpose and proper storage and disposal of medical as well as industrial waste, he said.

Besides, on the direction of state government, atleast 3.50 lakh trees were planted last year in the industrial area which has resulted in improving the air quality, he said.
Strict action is being taken against those who violate the pollution guidelines, he added.
Notably, Raipur was listed as7th toppollutedcities in the world by World Health Organisation (WHO) last year following which the state government had drafted an action plan to controlpollution menace over the next two years in the city.
Although the local officials had then claimed that the WHO's report (2016) onRaipur'spollutionwas based on statistics between years 2008 and 2013.