Environmental Data Bank

Central Pollution Control Board in association with SPCBs/PCCs has been working for creation of Environmental Data Bank (EDB). In the first phase, online entry of air and water quality data was initiated with respect to 215 air quality and 513 water quality monitoring stations covering 23 states. These data are being made available to the public through CPCB’s website.

Technical support and training was provided to the officials of Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Environmental Management Institute, Pollution Control Committee of Daman-Diu & Dadra Nagar Haveli and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. On-line entry of data generated under NAMP, NWMP stations have been started and being streamlined for regularization. Regular follow-ups with concerned State Boards and Committees were also made.

CPCB’s website has been shifted to NIC server for the purpose of security, better connectivity and alongwith upgradation & updation of website have been undertaken. The information including air & water quality, newsletters, registration of recyclers/ reprocessors, annual report, etc. were regularly updated at the website. The project on improving CPCB’s website particularly with regard to its presentation, making it more user-friendly, restructuring its contents, etc. has been initiated.

In order to provide the data to public on real time basis, a project for "Networking of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations of Delhi" has been initiated and it is likely to be completed by April 2006. In this network four air quality monitoring stations (3 Stationary+1 mobile van) that are being operated to monitor parameters such as SO₂, NO_x, CO, RSPM, SPM, BTX, Ozone will be connected. The three fixed stations are at Bahadurshah Zafar Marg (Traffic Junction), Delhi College of Engineering (Sensitive Area), Sirifort (Residential Area) and the Mobile Van is being operated at various places to monitor the air quality of Delhi.

The oil refineries & thermal power plants have on-line air analyzers for continuous monitoring of emissions from major sources. Analyzers continuously generate real-time data which has to be made available on-line to the pollution control authorities and public. On-line Data Transfer would eliminate the time lag and be of considerable use to regulatory authorities.

It was therefore considered to establish a system for transmission of real-time data for emissions of SO₂ and NO_x to CPCB Head Quarters from on-line monitors. To begin with, data from on-line monitors located at Pragati Power Corporation Limited, New Delhi" are being transferred on-line. Subsequently, based on this demonstration project, the system could be replicated in mega power plants and other major industrial sectors.