NASHIK: The air quality in the country and the State is deteriorating rapidly. Though New Delhi is one of the top polluted cities in the world, the quality of 18 cities in the State has deteriorated, raising concerns.
Although the level of air pollution in Nashik is moderate, it has been reported that it is necessary to be aware as it is on the threshold of a polluted city. According to a report by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), nine out of 18 cities in the state under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) have seen an increase in air pollution levels beyond 2017 levels.
These cities include Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Jalna, Kolhapur, Latur, Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune, and Thane. where pollution has increased in particulate matter PM-10. Since Nashik is moving in the same direction, care needs to be taken.
The proposed measures for pollution control under the NCAP are outlined. Of the 806 measures suggested, a maximum of 314 measures are required for transportation. This was followed by 139 measures are suggested for pollution control in the industrial sector. 108 measures have been mentioned for pollution borne in the air.
Dust pollution is increasing mainly due to the construction of roads, metros, and residential complexes in both residential and commercial areas. These mainly include construction sites, landfills and agriculture, forest fires and brushes, waste incineration, industrial sources, dust from open air, pollen, and bacterial fragments.
PM10 pollutants can be different. According to a report, it is important to increase the number of inspection devices in each city, increase or decrease the monitoring capacity. The report states that if the measures taken in the NCAP plan are strictly implemented, it will be possible to reduce PM-10 and PM-2.5 levels of air quality in polluted cities by 20 to 30 per cent by 2024.