NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed installation of 175 air quality monitoring stations across the country within the next six months. NGT directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to monitor the work by holding periodical online meetings with the Chairman/Member Secretaries of state pollution control boards (PCBs) and other relevant authorities. The order by the NGT added that the funds available under the ‘consent mechanism’/’environmental compensation’ be used for the purpose of construction of these monitoring centres and that the construction work must begin within one month.
A bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Chairperson, NGT, said that it will be preferable if 25 of the total 175 air quality monitoring systems are set up by CPCB/State PCBs/Pollution Control Councils (PCCs) jointly (with CPCB financing out of its environmental compensation funds), following an appropriate procedure to ensure best prices and quality. The Tribunal passed the orders after CPCB submitted a report that 173 stations have already been set up.
NGt also directed that Carrying Capacity and Source Apportionment studies may be simultaneously undertaken by the state pollution control boards. “Work in this regard may commence within one month and completed in six months. State PCBs/PCCs will be at liberty to either undertake the study in-house or by hiring any other agencies,” the bench said.
In the interest of public health, the bench also stated that the authorities must take steps for prohibiting/shifting polluting activities which are found unsustainable/non-conforming.