eGovWatch: UP government to introduce online monitoring of Ganga pollution

By Lalmani Verma

Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday said that an online monitoring system would be introduced to keep a check on pollution in the river Ganga.

“As suggested by the Central Government, day-to-day information would be provided to both the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), the Minister Shiv Pratap Yadav said in reply to a question raised by the Hriday Narain Dixit, BJP leader in Legislative Council during the Question Hour.

“It is already in place at five places in the state,” he said.

He added that the state chief secretary had sent a proposal to the National Green Tribunal for strengthening the operational capacity of the existing combined effluent treatment plant in Kanpur. Chennai-based Central Leather Research Institute is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) in this regard. The UP Jal Nigam has written to the institute to prepare the DPR in three months and the institute will charge Rs 8 crore for the task.

When contacted, Chief Environmental Officer in UPPCB, Dr P C Sharma, claimed 57 locations have already been identified for installation of the devices for online monitoring. “The UPPCB is in process to obtain clearances from different departments for installing the devices in their areas,” he said, adding that one such device on-line monitoring was already operational on a bridge in Kanpur.

“Several factors, such as variations in oxygen concentration between morning and night, were not monitored. Now, the new monitoring stations will give accurate information of pollution level round the clock… At present, we are collecting samples during office hours only,” said an UPPCB official.

How will it work
The online monitoring system will include a computerised machine with an Internet connection. The set-up will be fixed at a place near Ganga. A sensor — connected with the monitoring station from one end — will be dipped in the river to detect the pH, nitrate, chloride, ammonia, biochemical oxygen density and chemical oxygen density levels of the water. The entire station will be connected online to CPCB and UPPCB authorities.