Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (CPCL) on Friday launched a mobile ambient air quality monitoring unit that will keep a tab on atmospheric pollution on CPCL's premises in Manali.
Minister for Environment and Backward Classes T.K.M. Chinnayya launched the state-of-the-art Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Van to coincide with the CPCL's celebration of World Environment Day at Manali .
The Minister also planted saplings to mark the theme of the international celebration — ‘Forests — Nature At Your Service'. Mr. Chinnayya, who was participating in his first public function after taking over as Minister in the AIADMK-led Government, called for striking a balance between industrialisation and environmental safety.
Noting that Manali was a “critical polluted area,” the Minister urged CPCL and other industries operating in the area to ensure a continuing commitment to minimise pollution hazards to the local population.
Mr. Chinnayya said Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had acceded to his request for resuming the government incentive scheme for District Collectors for greening initiatives undertaken in their respective districts. The scheme, which was highly successful during the previous regime of Ms. Jayalalithaa, was grounded during the DMK rule.
K. Kuppan, MLA, appealed to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to regularly monitor pollution levels in Manali and launch measures to ensure the health of the residents in the area.
K. Balachandran, CPCL Managing Director, said the CPCL aimed to double its green belt stretches to 100 acres. This would be done by developing green belts off its premises in areas such as its desalination plant in Kattupalli. The Rs.1-crore van is fitted with a set of sensors that can gauge sulphur-di-oxide, nitrous oxide, particulate matter, carbon-monoxide and hydrocarbons. It can also measure weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind velocity and direction.
The real-time data is transmitted to the CPCL and the TNPCB. CPCL officials said the van could be lent out to the TNPCB to help its pollution control initiatives.
Mullai R. Gnanasekar, chairman, Manali Municipality, R. Ramachandran, Member Secretary Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and S. Venkataramana, Director (Operations), CPCL also participated.
