30.07.21

In an indication that people of the state breathe polluted air for most part of the year, the cities in Rajasthan have recorded a particulate matter (PM) 2.5 concentration more than the Central Pollution Control Boards (CPCB) safe limits of 40 ug/ m3 with only a few exceptions.

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For the first four months (January-April) of this year too, all the monitored cities of -Ajmer, Alwar,Bhiwadi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur and Pali have seen a PM 2.5 concentration of more than safe limits of 40 ug/m3 and more than triple the WHO limits of 10 ug/m3, according toNational Clean Air Programme(NCAP), the countrys flagship programme for better air quality in 122 cities, launched in 2019.

Among the operational Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in the state, the highest monthly Average PM 2.5 concentration of 103 ug/ m3 was reported at Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Corporation in Bhiwadi.

According to an assessment by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and theRajasthan Pollution Control Boardin December 2020, the Bhiwadi Industrial Area contributes around 65% to the industrial pollution load of the region (Jaipur-Alwar-Bhiwadiair shed). Bhiwadi has a total of 328 air polluting industries.