Bhogi pollution to be monitored

Air quality levels in 15 locations, including innewly-added areas, will be checked

On Bhogi day, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board will check pollution levels at 15 locations across the city.

“After the expansion of the Chennai Corporation, we have included newly-added areas such as Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Kathivakkam, Manali and Meenambakkam,” said minister for environment, M.C. Sampath at an event held in the city recently.

Monitoring stations will record levels of respirable suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide at the 15 locations for a period of 24 hours.

“Pollution control board employees have been staging skits and distributing pamphlets to create awareness on the dangers of burning plastic, rubber, synthetics and clothes,” Mr. Sampath said.

He was speaking at a function to launch an awareness campaign at CIT Nagar Chennai Higher Secondary School. He advocated a smoke-free Bhogi and also administered a pledge to students.

He asked them to take home the message of Bhogi — only fog and not smog.

Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy, secretary of environment and forests, Mohan Verghese Chunkath, T. Nagar constituency MLA, V.P. Kalairajan, director of environment, Mallesappa, TNPCB chairman, D. Karthikeyan, and member secretary, S. Balaji, participated in the programme.