Chennai: The commercial hub T Nagar, Koyambedu (CMBT) bus stand, Tiruchy central bus stand and Kovai industrial estate areas, all monitored by TNPCB, have recorded a substantial increase in annual respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) over the past two years. During the same period, the industrial pockets of north Chennai have maintained the pollution levels of 2012.
“Increase in RSPM in Chennai city is mainly due to Chennai Metro Rail work, dust contributed by pipeline, telephone and electrical cable laying activities on the road,” said a TNPCB official.
In its recent annual report, the board had mentioned that north Chennai is less polluted when compared to the south and central Chennai as there is no metro rail or major bridge works now on in north Chennai.
Kilpauk in Central Chennai and T Nagar in south Chennai have been constantly maintaining the distinction of being the most polluted localities due to pollution from vehicles.
In case of already polluted North Chennai, the only respite is that the RSPM content when compared to south and central Chennai is less.
The Tiruchy Central bus stand and the Main Guard Gate junction in the district have emerged as the most polluted traffic junctions with the annual RSPM recorded at 117 and 101 respectively.
In Kathivakkam, Manali, Thiruvotorriyur, RSPM level is 49, 44 and 46 respectively and the national permissible level is 60.0 µg/M3.
“With the increase in industrial and commercial activities in Coimbatore the quality of the ambient air is now getting worse across the state. Tier one cities like Chennai and Coimbatore are already having an increase in eosinophil count and if the trend continues this will affect the overall productivity of a person and this has been medically proved,” said Coimbatore-based diabetologist Dr Ganga Mallan, who is also working on national tuberculosis programmes.
Low RSPM levels in north Chennai are not exactly good news because north Chennai had always been a polluted locality for years. You can smell ammonia and carbon monoxide in north Chennai and now with Ennore port witnessing major commercial activities, the coastal pockets of north Chennai are facing air pollution, said wildlife enthusiast A Senthil Kumar, who has been documenting the breeding behaviour of white bellied sea eagle in Ennore.
TNPCB sources maintained that so far, 280 industries are connected to Care Air Centre for online monitoring. Out of 280 industries, 228 industries are connected to Care Air Centre to monitor stack emission, 70 industries to monitor ambient air quality and 67 industries to monitor the quality of trade effluent. Also, regular RSPM levels are checked at eight locations in Chennai.
To abate pollution levels, TNPCB has approved the proposal for grant of Rs 30 crore to the Tamil Nadu Forests Department for massive tree plantation programme covering 32 TN districts over the next three years.
