Pune’s Air Quality Sensors Fail To Provide Real-Time Data, Activists Raise Concerns | Sourced
Pune currently has 45 air quality index (AQI) sensors installed across the city under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) ‘s Smart City Mission.
Two of these sensors are installed within a one-kilometre radius of the Vaikunth crematorium, located in the Sadashiv Peth area. The site is frequently flagged for high pollution levels. These sensors aim to provide real-time air quality data to help implement pollution control measures. However, activists claim that these sensors are insufficient for a rapidly growing population and are unable to provide updated data from the AQI sensors installed across the city.
Vivek Velankar, an activist, said, “I have been pursuing this issue for over a month, requesting access to real-time data from these sensors and urging the PMC to publish this information on its official website daily. However, I was informed that data is only available up to June 2024. As a resident, I want to access the data, and it should be reflected on their website. The civic body has spent a huge amount to install these sensors, but they should also check whether they are working or not.”
Ranjit Gadgil, an environmentalist, added, “The PMC has been taking steps to control pollution, including restrictions on construction activities. However, the absence of real-time AQI data undermines these efforts. We approached the authority as data was not reflected on the website, and sometimes when the readings were low, the calibrations of these monitors were not accurate. Now to access the data, there’s a payment gateway; they have monetised the service. You want the data, you pay them. But the sensors were installed using taxpayers’ money, and now to access the data, one has to pay. I don’t approve of the idea of paying them. Taxpayers have funded this initiative with the expectation of transparency and actionable insights. Yet, the lack of daily updates limits the ability of authorities and citizens to respond to deteriorating air quality.”
Meanwhile, speaking to The Free Press Journal, Ganesh Sonune, Head of Disaster Management Department, PMC, said, “We have fetched the data until June 17, and we have the real-time data. Due to some technical glitches, it could not be updated, but we will be updating the website soon. It’s in progress. The sensors are working fine, and there are no discrepancies in the data.”
