Capital pollution information now on display

BHUBANESWAR: To inform residents of noise and air pollution levels, the Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) has installed display boards showing relevant data at two sites in the city.
BSCL sources said 10 pole-mounted environmental sensors will send inputs on pollution to the data centre, which in turn will forward the information to the display panels. The boards are located at Damana Square and PMG Square. The locations were selected based on the traffic and human rush of the areas.

Smart city operations leader Shailesh Kumar said for air pollution, the display board shows the level of particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10), nitrogen compounds, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. "It also shows the air quality index - from which people can know if they have the standard air quality that is healthy for breathing. The panel also shows the noise level of different places in measures of decibel. Besides, humidity and temperature is also shown," he told TOI.

Kumar said the work on the pollution display was completed within two weeks. "It was expedited in view of the men's hockey World Cup. Several international delegates and players will come and the city should be prepared to let them know whether the air they breathe is good for their health. This way, the air quality can also be regulated. The authorities concerned can also address the reasons behind pollution," he said.

Officials said the project may be expanded further with more sensors and yet more display boards coming up in future.

A source in the BSCL said the pollution data can also be viewed at the Bhubaneswar Operations Centre (BOC), an IT-backed command centre that is meant for keeping the city and its vital services under surveillance.

In September, 2017, Odisha State Pollution Control Board had issued an advisory to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) to submit a plan of action to check air pollution.