Gujarat’s Capital Cracks Down On Polluters To Stay Green

And it is not just the big cities any more. Air pollution is spreading to quieter places, too. Gujarat’s Gandhinagar was one of those quiet places. It used to be a breath of fresh air, literally, but even here the dust and smoke are starting to settle in.

This has pushed the state government to act quickly. To preserve Gandhinagar’s identity as a "Green City", a large-scale tree plantation drive has been launched, along with a Source Apportionment Study (SAS) to identify the major sources of air pollution.

Based on the study’s findings, the government plans to relocate polluting industries outside the city limits to improve air quality. This crucial task has been assigned to the Gujarat Environment Management Institute (GEMI).

According to Jaipal Singh, director of GEMI, increasing air pollution is a major problem in most Indian cities. The primary goal of the Source Apportionment Study is to estimate the contribution of different sources — such as industries, vehicles, and household waste burning — to overall air pollution.

The data obtained from this study will help design strategies for pollution control and prevention. It will also serve as a foundation for developing various environmental policies, urban air quality management strategies, industrial regulations, and pollution control policies.

Singh stated that the study will include a comprehensive list of pollution sources. Based on this data, policies can be framed and implemented to address the pollution issue and improve air quality. The Source Apportionment Study for Gandhinagar was initiated in 2024-25 and has now been extended for another year. The study is broadly divided into three main components:

Emission Inventory

This involves the quantitative analysis of pollutants emitted from various sources within a specific area and timeframe, using both primary and secondary data. It helps estimate pollution levels from different sources across Gandhinagar.

Receptor Modelling

This is a statistical technique used to determine the types and contributions of various pollutants to air pollution. It helps identify pollution sources based on the chemical characteristics of pollutants. For this, continuous air quality monitoring is conducted over one month during two different seasons in selected areas, as determined through the Emission Inventory.

Dispersion Modelling

This technique estimates pollutant concentrations in different areas to identify pollution hotspots. Under this study, the CALPUFF software is used to simulate the dispersion of air pollutants from various sources. The data from this modelling will be used to develop an action plan for air quality improvement.

Minister's Remarks

State Forest and Environment Minister Mulu Bera, in a recent address, mentioned that even though Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) are already operational in Gandhinagar, the Source Apportionment Study is being undertaken to gain deeper insights.

He cited a similar study done in Ahmedabad a few years ago, which considered residential areas, densely populated zones, commercial areas, and industrial zones. The study identified various pollution contributors such as road dust, vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, and waste burning. Based on this, mitigation strategies were recommended.

Most Air-Polluted Cities In Gujarat

Ahmedabad:
➢ High population density, heavy vehicular traffic, industrial emissions, and construction dust
➢ PM2.5 and PM10 levels frequently exceed national standards

Surat:
➢ Textile and diamond industry hub
➢ Pollution from power looms, traffic, and the burning of textile waste

Rajkot:
➢ Industrial zones, traffic congestion, and dust from unpaved roads
➢ Poor dispersion of pollutants due to local geography
 
Vadodara:
➢ Petrochemical industries, thermal plants, and high traffic lead to significant pollution
 
Morbi:
➢ Known for its ceramic industry
➢ Massive coal and gas usage in kilns contributes to high PM10 and PM2.5 levels
 
Vapi:
➢ One of India’s oldest industrial estates
➢ Chemical industries release harmful gases and particulate matter

Ankleshwar:
➢ Industrial city with large-scale chemical and pharmaceutical factories
➢ Regularly records poor air quality

Gandhinagar:
➢ Generally considered cleaner, but recent reports show rising pollution due to:
➢ Traffic congestion
➢ Urban expansion
➢ Dust from construction and roadways
 
Bharuch:
➢ Industrial emissions and transport-related pollution.
 
Anand:
➢ Increase in vehicular traffic and nearby small-scale industries contributes to rising pollution levels.

Key Pollutants
➢ PM2.5 – Fine inhalable particles (dangerous to respiratory health)
➢ PM10 – Larger dust particles
➢ NOx, SO2 – From fuel combustion
➢ VOC – Common in industrial zones

Ongoing Measures

Source Apportionment Studies have been launched in cities like Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat to identify the exact sources of pollution. The Gujarat government has begun promoting cleaner fuels, electric vehicles, and dust control mechanisms in major cities.