Foreword

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration with the State P'ollution Control Boards (SPCBs) has established a National Air Quality Monitoring Network, comprising 295 stations in 99 cities/towns, under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to collect, compile and disseminate information on air quality.

The ambient air quality is monitored by CPCB, SPCBs, Pollution Control Committees, some Universities and Institutes. The data, thus generated, are transmitted to CPCB for scrutinization, analysis, compilation and publication as a consolidated report.

This report contains ambient air quality data for the year 2001. Air Pollution status of various pollutants has been defined in terms of Low, Moderate, High Ind Critical, vis-a-vis the notified ambient air standards and has been depicted in the form of tables and figures. The cooperation of the monitoring agencies is gratefully acknowledged.