Introduction:

MPCB is operating air quality monitoring at 45 stations of Maharashtra spread in 10 districts covering 15 towns. This is being done as part of National Air Monitoring program (NAMP), through independent institutes who directly report to CPCB. It is observed of-late that the air quality information from these stations is not readily available to MPCB. We do not have regular supervision or quality control checks on operation of these air monitoring stations and data generated. MPCB, as the regulatory agency in the state, require the information of air quality levels at different locations for planning the pollution control strategy, for dissemination of information, and other related matters. MPCB is making the AAQM data available for public information through electronic and print media and also, MPCB website on a daily basis..
There is MPCB has increasing need of the AAQM stations in the State for covering important cities, industrial areas and also, sensitive areas. The present network of AAQM of 45 stations is not adequate to represent entire Maharashtra.

Considering the various aspects, we had proposed to CPCB that all these already approved NAMP stations will be managed by MPCB, by augmenting the entire Air quality monitoring network. In the augmentation and strengthening process, some stations will be added at cities covered under NAMP and some new cities/ industrial areas will be monitored.

Present Scenario:
Central Pollution Control Board has 45 sanctioned NAMP stations in the state of Maharashtra. The present scenario of the NAMP in Maharashtra is presented in Table-1. Recently, MPCB has already made three stations at Aurangabad and two stations at Dombivali-Ambernath operational. Three new stations at Kolhapur are also made operational recently through Department of Environmental Sciences, Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

Present Scenario:

Central Pollution Control Board has 45 sanctioned NAMP stations in the state of Maharashtra. The present scenario of the NAMP in Maharashtra is presented in Table-1. Recently, MPCB has already made three stations at Aurangabad and two stations at Dombivali-Ambernath operational. Three new stations at Kolhapur are also made operational recently through Department of Environmental Sciences, Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

 

Monitoring stations under NAMP --(present status)

Sr. No.	Name of City	No. of stations	Operated by	Remarks
1.	Mumbai	3	NEERI	Managed by CPCB
2.	Thane	3	Thane Municipal Corporation	In Operation since July,2005
3.	Pune	3	University of Pune	In Operation since July,2005
4	Nagpur	3	Vishveshrayya National Institute of Technology	In Operation since July,2005
		3	NEERI
5.	Chandrapur	3	MPCB	In Operation since July,2005
6.	Aurangabad	3	Saraswati Bhuvan College, Aurangabad	In Operation since July,2005
7.	Dombivali -Ambarnath	2	MPCB	Operational since Oct. 2004
8.	Nashik	3	K T H M College, Nashik.	In Operation since July,2005
9.	Solapur	2	Walchand   Institute of Technology.	In Operation since July,2005
10.	Kolhapur	3	Shivaji University, Kolhapur	In operation since December 2005
11.	Tarapur MIDC	3	MPCB	In operation since Jan - 2006
12.	Lote MIDC	2	MPCB	In operation since March – 2006
13.	Taloja MIDC	3	K.B.P.College, Vashi	In operation since April – 2006
14.	Navi Mumbai (TTC)	3	K.B.P.College, Vashi	In operation since April – 2006
15.	Amaravati	3	Govt. Engg. College, Amaravati	In operation since Nov. – 2006
	Total	45

 

Monitoring stations under SAMP-- (present status)

Sr. No.	Name of City	No. of stations	Operated by	Remarks
1.	Ulhasnagar	3	CHM College, Ulhas Nagar
2.	Jalna	2	MPCB
3.	Pune	1	University of Pune
4.	Nashik	1	MPCB
5.	Nagpur	1	MPCB
6.	Aurangabad	1	MPCB
	Total	9

 

List of CAAQMS-- (present status)

Sr. No.	Name of City	No. of stations	Operated by	Remarks
1.	Bandra, Mumbai	1	M/s Chemtrols Engineering Ltd
2.	Solapur	1	M/s Chemtrols Engineering Ltd
3.	Pune	1	M/s Honeywell Automation Ltd
4.	Chandrapur	1	M/s Alfatech Services
5.	Vashi, Navi Mumbai	1	M/s Chemtrols Engineering Ltd	Managed by Navi Mumbai.M.C
6.	Mulund, Mumbai	1	M/s Alfatech Services
7.	Sion, Mumbai	1	MPCB
	Total	7

 

Strengthening Proposal:

CPCB has already emphasized the need to strengthening the national air monitoring program network to include mega cities, metro cities and important industrial areas. MPCB has conducted detailed in-house exercise for identifying new stations for AAQM monitoring. MPCB has prepared a proposal for strengthening of AAQM network in Maharashtra which is presented in Table-2. It is proposed that the above listed stations shall be monitored by the identified external educational institutions in Maharashtra under the overall supervision and control of MPCB.

The justification for selection of the identified locations is also presented in the table. The major cities need a systematic air quality data in view of the increasing public awareness. The major industrial areas like Tarapur, TTC, Taloja etc. also require extensive air monitoring, as there are residential growth centers near all major industrial areas. The strengthening also include developing a systematic State Air Monitoring Program to support the NAMP. The activities under SAMP will be independently be handled by MPCB.

 

Working Arrangements:

The proposed strengthening of AAQM network in Maharashtra was discussed with Chairman CPCB on 17.1.05. The record notes of the discussions are enclosed as Annexure I. CPCB has already emphasized the need for augmentation of the AAQM network and has also approved 50% matching contribution to SPCB’s for the O&M, besides initial capital contribution, for the proposed augmentation as per decision of 118th Board meeting dated 11.12.20000.

Accordingly, we have submitted a detailed proposal on the strengthening of AAQM to CPCB for providing financial support on 18.3.05. The proposed strengthening of NAMP stations from 28 to 58 stations will be supported by CPCB by providing 50% matching contribution to MPCB. The proposed SAMP covering 27 stations will be managed by MPCB on its own.

All these AAQM stations will be operated by MPCB through the external educational/research institutions. The proposed augmentation program also indicates identified educational institutes for each station. MPCB will coordinate all activities of NAMP and MPCB and will provide CPCB a consolidated data for the state of Maharashtra. MPCB will also regularly supervise the operation of these stations and ensure the quality control aspects. MPCB also intend to give a short training for these institutes for the effective operation of the stations.

The data base management for such extensive air quality network involves expert computational capabilities. The data generated through this network needs to be regularly uploaded on website after necessary validation. This data also needs to be published on minimum six monthly basis for public information and further uses. It is therefore proposed that this work related to collection, compilation, validation and publishing of the data can be handed over to reputed institutes like Science and Technology Park, University of Pune.

It is also proposed that the proposed arrangements with the institutions can be for longer duration, can be about 5 years. After 5 years, the equipments will have to replace. This will offer better utilization of the capital support given by MPCB and will also generated more interest at the institute’s level. It is intended to enter into an MoU with these institutes for the proposed association. 

 

List of proposed stations approved in the 146th Board Meeting (proposal)

Sr. No.	Name of City	Proposed NAMP	Proposed SAMP	Total	Remarks
1.	Mumbai	3	4	7	The city presently has only 3 NAMP stations which are grossly inadequate.
2.	Pune	1	--	1	City is  among 11 highly polluting industrial cities and need more stations for proper distribution of air quality stations.
3.	Kalyan-Dombivali	--	2	2	Dombivali is also an industrialized area where residential development is in the vicinity and Kalyan is also a municipal corporation and need more AAQM stations.
5.	Bhiwandi	--	2	2	Bhiwandi is an industrialized municipal corporation city and receives regular complaints of air pollution. AAQM is required to collect AAQ data on regular basis.
6.	Roha	--	2	2	Roha is a major established industrialized area and need regular AAQM stations.
7.	Chandrapur	--	3	3
8.	Akola	1	2	3	It is a Municipal Corporation and need AAQM stations.
9.	Mahad	3	--	3	Mahad is a major established industrialized area and need regular AAQM stations.
10.	Jalgaon	--	3	3	It is municipal corporation and need AAQM stations.
11.	Ahmed- nagar	3	2	5	It is municipal Corporation and need AAQM stations.
12.	Sangli	--	3	3	It is municipal corporation and need AAQM stations.
13.	Nanded	--	3	3	It is municipal corporation and need AAQM stations.
14.	Latur	--	3	3	It is municipal corporation and need AAQM stations.
15.	Dhule	--	3	3	It is municipal corporation and need AAQM stations.
	Total	11	32	43