40.5 per cent of air-quality monitoring stations inactive during Delhi's "very poor" air quality
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Pollution (air, water, plastic)· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that 40.5% of air-quality monitoring stations in Delhi were inactive during a period of 'very poor' air quality.
Background
On November 12, 257 out of 634 air-quality monitoring stations were reported as inactive by the CPCB. A Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report indicates that only 15% of India's population lives near real-time monitoring stations.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyCPCB: Central Pollution Control Board is the statutory organization responsible for air quality monitoring in India
- Fact40.5% of Delhi's air-quality monitoring stations were inactive on November 12
- FactOnly 15% of India's population lives near real-time monitoring stations according to CSE
For Mains
Q. Discuss the challenges in establishing a comprehensive real-time air quality monitoring network in India and its implications for public health policy.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Data integrity gap: Inactive monitoring stations during peak pollution periods hinder evidence-based policy interventions
- Spatial inequity: Low population coverage near real-time stations limits the efficacy of localized health advisories
- Institutional bottleneck: Technical and logistical hurdles in maintaining a high-density, functional monitoring grid
Keywords: Data-driven governance · Environmental monitoring · Public health infrastructure · Evidence-based policy · Spatial distribution
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.