Urbanization and air quality: Agartala's plan to tackle rising pollution levels

Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 20 : As air pollution continues to be a pressing issue worldwide, the city of Agartala in Tripura is taking significant steps to monitor and address the levels of particulate matter and other pollutants in its air.
As per a press release by the government, the city, along with other sub-divisional cities in the state, has installed two real-time air quality monitoring systems. These systems are connected to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) servers, allowing citizens to observe pollution levels from anywhere via the Sameer App on their mobile phones.
The Sameer App provides detailed information on all pollution levels, making data easily accessible to the public. This transparency is crucial as Agartala's air quality index (AQI) often exceeds the standard quality index during the summer and dry seasons, with PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels notably high. Conversely, during the monsoon season, the AQI improves significantly due to reduced dispersion of particulate matter, resulting in lower pollutant content, the press release further added.
Urbanization in Agartala is a key factor contributing to the elevated AQI, particularly during the dry months. In response, an action plan to control air pollution has been developed and is currently being implemented by various stakeholder departments, including the Transport Department and the Urban Development Department. These departments are working continuously to mitigate pollution levels.
One of the critical measures in place is the operation of Pollution Under Control (PUC) centres run by authorized personnel from the department. These centres are essential in addressing vehicular pollution, a significant contributor to air pollutants in the city, the press release said.
Furthermore, the Tripura State Pollution Control Board is set to conduct a source apportionment study to identify the origins of particulate matter more precisely. This study will inform the revision and modification of the current action plan to better tackle the sources of pollution.
In addition to the existing monitoring systems, Tripura has initiated the setup of three more air quality monitoring stations under the National Ambient Monitoring Stations programme. This expansion aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of air quality across different regions of the state.
With these concerted efforts, Tripura is on a path to not only monitor but also actively improve the air quality in Agartala and beyond, ensuring a healthier environment for its residents.
Dr Bishu Karmakar (Member Secretary, Tripura State Pollution Control Board) has said that air pollution as of this date is a sensitive issue. "Indoor air pollution and outdoor air pollution is very dangerous. In the context of Tripura, we are assessing continuously the level of particulate matter and pollutants in the air in Agartala city and other sub-divisional cities."
He added further, "We have installed two real-time air quality monitoring systems which are connected to the central pollution control board servers. From anywhere, any citizen can observe the pollution level. Everyone can observe the same from mobile also through the Sameer App. From this app, everyone can get information on all pollution levels."
Providing further details, Karmakar said, "An action plan to control the air pollution has been made and which is under implementation by various stakeholders departments, like the transport department, the urban development department, so all are working continuously on this... Apart from that, Tripura State Pollution Control Board will conduct a study of the source of particulate matter which is known as source approachment study. After that, the end of the action plan will be revised and will be modified. We have also initiated to set up three more air quality monitoring stations under National Ambient Monitoring Stations."