Allahabad junction gets digital air quality monitor

Allahabad: A digital display system on the air quality index was installed at Allahabad Junction on Tuesday, the eve of World Environment Day.
The board will show data on carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), besides temperature and humidity, on a real-time basis.
Allahabad DRM Amitabha, who inaugurated the display board, said rising pollution levels had made it mandatory to upgrade monitoring systems. “Monitoring helps assess the level of pollution in relation to the ambient air quality standards. Allahabad is an important division of North Central Railway (NCR). Hence, the system was launched here,” he said.
The NCR on Tuesday also organised a seminar where its general manager Rajiv Chaudhry briefed the gathering on various railway initiatives, such as electrification and use of biogas, to minimise air pollution. A booklet covering these efforts was also unveiled. Professor RC Vaishya of civil engineering department, MNNIT, spoke on the cause and effect of air pollution at the seminar and suggested remedies.