APPCB App to be launched to control pollution

The app to be launched by the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) is the first of its kind, which will show the pollution levels of ‘Red’ category in the state.  The CPCB categorises industrial sectors having pollution index score of 60 and above as ‘Red’ category.

The member-secretary of APPCB, BSS Prasad, said “The app is expected to be launched in about three weeks so that people can see for themselves the pollution levels in various industries by using it”, during the interaction with media after inaugurating a two-day workshop on ‘New Waste Management Rules 2016,’ being organised by the board here on Wednesday.

Quoting the example of Visakhapatnam Port Trust, he said it had been asked to set up three monitoring stations with a cost of Rs 3 crore. “The same is possible for HPCL or Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, or other industries. The carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide levels can be seen on the app,” stated Prasad. Upon linking the stations to the websites, people would be able to see what the suspended particulate matter (SPM) level was by using the app.

Prasad said that monitoring of pollution in industries shifted online with web cameras and stack monitoring. Units were being given time to set up web monitoring. To industries not installing the equipment, closure or ‘cut in production’ notices were being issued. The CPCB had issued several notices and, of late, sugar factories were also served notices.

The officials had to give report online within 48 hours and there could not be any nexus as none would go to the unit for a second time. With such process, regional and zonal offices also could not exert any influence in the name of jurisdiction.