Bhogi smog is slowly reducing over years

Chennai: Air quality predictably takes a beating on festivals of Deepavali and Bhogi, but this time, alertness among the public and awareness campaigns by the state pollution control board has brought significant decrease in pollutants in the air, compared to last year.

All the same, the quantity of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) in the air was disappointing with some places recording double the amount.

Royapuram followed by Valsaravakkam was the most polluted and Adyar had the least pollution in the city during Bhogi day, Monday, according to a survey conducted by the TNPCB on the ambient air quality in 15 places in the city.

Pollution control board officials say, “The board conducted an intensive awareness campaign in the last four days in 15 corporation zones in the city prior to Bhogi, to check pollution levels.”

They add, “The campaigns gave special attention to residential areas and slums. The festival sees a spurt in pollutants in the air with smog often engulfing the city due to burning of tyre, plastic and rubber.”

Sources add, “After the campaign, the board sent 15 monitoring teams to oversee the situation on Sunday night. Ambient air quality surveys were conducted in 15 places.“

According to the survey, the quantity of pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides were found to be within the permissible limits and well below last year’s observed quantity.

Royapuram recorded the highest RSPM at 258, followed by Valsarav­akkam at 233 where the standard is supposed to be 100. The change in Royapuram, compared to last year, was negligible though in Valsara­vakkam it dropped by 40 per cent.

Next: City hangouts get ready for Pongal rush

City hangouts get ready for Pongal rush

Chennai: Cost-effective, popular hangouts in Chennai are gearing up for Pongal. Marina beach, Chennai snake park, Guindy natio­nal park, lighthouse and Van­dalur zoo are making arrangements for the holiday rush for the next three days.

On Monday, Chennai snake park inaugurated an interpretation centre aimed at entertaining and educating visitors about reptiles with 134 electronic display boards and audio visuals. Usu­al­ly, Tuesday is a closed holiday but due to Pongal, the park will be kept open on January 14. 

A new museum has been created at an expenditure of abo­ut Rs 14.50 lakh. The park is re­ady for visitors during Pongal holidays, said  B. Vijayara­gh­a­v­an, executive chairman, Chennai Snake Park Trust.

The recent opening of lighthouse is predicted to draw large crowds during Pon­g­al. Officials assig­n­ed to the lighthouse said ext­ra st­aff have been de­p­u­ted to m­anage the crowds.

“In ad­dition to the ex­isting staff, four more people have been assigned  to regulate the visiting crowd,” an official sou­rce in the lighthouse said. Vandalur zoo has also made arrangements for Pongal and had instructed all its employees not to take leave and report for duty to regulate the crowd.