Chennai: Air quality predictably takes a beating on festivals of Deepavali and Bhogi, but this time, alertness among the public and awareness campaigns by the state pollution control board has brought significant decrease in pollutants in the air, compared to last year.
All the same, the quantity of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) in the air was disappointing with some places recording double the amount.
Royapuram followed by Valsaravakkam was the most polluted and Adyar had the least pollution in the city during Bhogi day, Monday, according to a survey conducted by the TNPCB on the ambient air quality in 15 places in the city.
Pollution control board officials say, “The board conducted an intensive awareness campaign in the last four days in 15 corporation zones in the city prior to Bhogi, to check pollution levels.”
They add, “The campaigns gave special attention to residential areas and slums. The festival sees a spurt in pollutants in the air with smog often engulfing the city due to burning of tyre, plastic and rubber.”
Sources add, “After the campaign, the board sent 15 monitoring teams to oversee the situation on Sunday night. Ambient air quality surveys were conducted in 15 places.“
According to the survey, the quantity of pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides were found to be within the permissible limits and well below last year’s observed quantity.
Royapuram recorded the highest RSPM at 258, followed by ValsaravÂakkam at 233 where the standard is supposed to be 100. The change in Royapuram, compared to last year, was negligible though in ValsaraÂvakkam it dropped by 40 per cent.
Next: City hangouts get ready for Pongal rush
City hangouts get ready for Pongal rush
Chennai: Cost-effective, popular hangouts in Chennai are gearing up for Pongal. Marina beach, Chennai snake park, Guindy natioÂnal park, lighthouse and VanÂdalur zoo are making arrangements for the holiday rush for the next three days.
On Monday, Chennai snake park inaugurated an interpretation centre aimed at entertaining and educating visitors about reptiles with 134 electronic display boards and audio visuals. UsuÂalÂly, Tuesday is a closed holiday but due to Pongal, the park will be kept open on January 14.
A new museum has been created at an expenditure of aboÂut Rs 14.50 lakh. The park is reÂady for visitors during Pongal holidays, said B. VijayaraÂghÂaÂvÂan, executive chairman, Chennai Snake Park Trust.
The recent opening of lighthouse is predicted to draw large crowds during PonÂgÂal. Officials assigÂnÂed to the lighthouse said extÂra stÂaff have been deÂpÂuÂted to mÂanage the crowds.
“In adÂdition to the exÂisting staff, four more people have been assigned to regulate the visiting crowd,” an official souÂrce in the lighthouse said. Vandalur zoo has also made arrangements for Pongal and had instructed all its employees not to take leave and report for duty to regulate the crowd.
