GUWAHATI, Aug 1 - Experts taking part in a recent seminar on ambient air quality of Guwahati recommended a comprehensive study of air quality in the city by experts in the field.
The seminar was organised by the All India People�s Science Network (AIPSN), Assam.
In this connection, they said competent institutions like the Pollution Control Board, Assam, and the educational institutions including the universities and colleges, may be involved.
They also called for establishing a regular and authenticated monitoring mechanism of the air quality in the city with the provision of more monitoring stations. The government and other departments and agencies concerned should extend necessary cooperation to the State pollution control board.
Observing that degradation of the city hills, rampant earth-cutting, unplanned construction activities, dumping of construction materials in the open areas have added to its problem of dust pollution, they asserted that all the authorities should come together and evolve a policy to tackle the problem.
Laying stress on the need of controlling air pollution, they said that the government should set up �Air Controlling Regulatory Authority� to provide services for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution to ensure clean and healthy ambient air.
The government should also stipulate emission standards for various sources such as motor vehicles and industries in the city as outlined in the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999. It should also monitor all air pollution related activities, they said.
Moreover, they said the government should urgently undertake repairs of all the city roads, arrange adequate number of public buses to reduce the number of private vehicles on the roads, encourage CNG or electric vehicles, ban old vehicles, introduce proper walking and cycling zones, monitor the disposal of the household waste and waste generated by the industries, and carry out plantation programme in a scientific manner involving the local people.
Members of AIPSN, Assam, include the Assam Science Society, Ellora Vigyan Mancha, Gyan Vigyan Samity, Assam, and CRU (NE).
The function was organised in collaboration with the Indian Oil Limited and the Chemistry Department of B Borooah College.
