With the odd-even scheme returning, Amity University here is preparing to study its impact on air quality in the National Capital Region.
The Amity Centre of Environmental Sciences and Health, headed by Dr. P.C.S. Devara, has planned to monitor the air quality in real time through an exclusive and multi-parameter study. Air quality and pollution monitoring is done at the university’s campus in Manesar using sophisticated equipment like the three-wavelength integrating nephlometer, Magee scientific aethalometer, an ozonometer, and sun photometer.
To conduct a precise study, Amity University is also deploying a PSV (Pollution Study Vehicle) equipped with a portable particulate matter measurement concentration instrument (PMMCI). This vehicle will collect daily observations across different locations in Delhi-NCR, particularly in the most polluted and congested regions, when the scheme is in place, said Dr. Devara.
A report about the pollution statistics was prepared by the university after the first phase of the scheme. The results had confirmed a significant reduction in total black carbon concentration from 15.2 mg to 2.2 mg (microgram). This time, along with particulate matter, the university shall also monitor the impact of the scheme on vehicular noise pollution and air quality improvement, said Madhu Joshi, senior environmental scientist at Amity University.
“Apart from vehicular noise, a habit among Indian drivers is to blow the horn. In developed countries, doing so is considered highly uncivilized,” said Professor P.B. Sharma, vice-chancellor of Amity University, Gurgaon.
“It would be desirable if a campaign about traffic rules, lane driving and road etiquette is started. For instance, it is often seen that people overtake from the left side, which is illegal and dangerous,” said Prof. Sharma.
