How bad is the air in Noida and Ghaziabad? Residents don’t know

Even as pollution continues to rise, residents remain unaware of the pollution statistics. While Delhi residents can see the real time pollution data of their city online, no such system is available for Noida and Ghaziabad.

Even as pollution continues to rise, residents remain unaware of the pollution statistics. While Delhi residents can see the real time pollution data of their city online, no such system is available for Noida and Ghaziabad.

While Delhi residents can see the real time pollution data of their city online, no such system is available for Noida and Ghaziabad. (Sunil Ghosh/HT)

Pollution data is uploaded only once a month on the UP Pollution Control Board’s (UPPCB) website. These reports are consolidated over the whole month. Moreover, the data is also not updated regularly. The report for October 2016 is yet to be uploaded.

Installation of a real time, continuous ambient air quality monitoring system, similar to the one in Delhi at ITO, which also displays the real time pollution data, has been proposed. “Last month, in a joint inspection, UPPCB and Central Pollution Control Board identified two spots in Ghaziabad for setting up the monitoring system,” Paras Nath, regional manager, UPPCB, Ghaziabad, said.

The two spots are Site-4 industrial area in Sahibabad and Meerut Road industrial area. However, the machine will only be set up at one spot initially. “The machine costs around ₹4-₹5 crore. It will be set up in a government campus so that its safety is ensured. It will have a digital display and will also be connected to the CPCB’s server through which the real time statistics will be available,” he said.

Residents living in some areas can get real time data. Those living near NH-24 and Sector 62 can find the air quality of their area from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) that monitors air quality at the national highway. Residents living near Delhi border can also get live data from Delhi. According to the Delhi Pollution Control Board, PM10 at Anand Vihar ISBT/ Kaushambi were 1,625mpcm against the permissible limits of 100mpcm while the PM2.5 was 849mpcm against the permissible limit of 60mpcm on Sunday morning.