Summary:
We need to control such construction activities along with number of vehicles plying in residential areas of the city.” In winter such pollutants can cause eye irritation or running nose or throat infection but apart from local irritants, we do not feel higher impact of pollution. With Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) continuously monitoring the levels of air pollution at 10 different spots round the year, the city has fallen from its earlier ‘good’ position owing to the dip in its air quality to ‘moderately polluted’ category according to National Air Quality Index (AQI) . “Apart from increase in number of vehicles, there is also the emissions from industrial units for the fuel type they use,” she said.When compared to highly polluted cities like Delhi, Surat too has high pollution levels that is visible from a filter paper turning black in two hours even at spots like Piplod, she explained.“However, what helps Surat still breathe easy is its climatic conditions. Recently, the World Bank officials too expressed their fears on the rising pollution levels, especially PM10mg |M3 and PM2.5 mg|M3, in the city.Dr Namrata Jariwala, an expert in pollution and environment issues from Sardar Vallbhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), however, does not blame vehicles alone for the pollution..