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Time of India
05-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Seminar on combatingplastic waste
Lucknow: A seminar on 'combating plastic waste' was organised by the regional centre for urban and environmental studies (RCUES) on World Environment Day on Thursday. The event brought together officials from various Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for a series of sessions focused on addressing challenge of plastic pollution. The keynote address was by Alka Singh, joint director, RCUES, Lucknow. Rachana Kumar, principal scientist at CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow, highlighted innovative scientific approaches to managing plastic waste. Radhika Mishra, chief innovation officer and co-founder of Sparkliv, stressed on the transformative role of behavioural change and community engagement in reducing plastic dependence. Himanshu Chandra, assistant director, RCUES, showcased best practices implemented by ULBs.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
EV cars, two-wheelers driving Lucknow closer to green goals
Gradual increase in the number of electric vehicles (EV cars and two-wheelers) on Lucknow roads in the last one year and other air pollution abatement measures have brought positive changes in the city's air quality. As compared to pre-monsoon period in 2024, the corresponding duration is less polluted this year, according to the 'Assessment of Ambient Air Quality of Lucknow City', a pre-monsoon 2025 report released by CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR) on the eve of World Environment Day on Wednesday. According to the report, nine localities of the state capital, comprising four commercial and residential each, and one industrial, were monitored in April-May (pre-monsoon period). The report highlighted that though there is a declining trend in pollution levels as compared to the corresponding period last year, the average pollutant concentration levels recorded were above the safe or permissible limits set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). According to NAAQS, the PM 10 concentration should not be more than 100 and PM 2.5 concentration should not be more than 60 micrograms per cubic metre of air. In all the nine localities, the air pollution levels were above the safe limits with Gomtinagar, Charbagh and Chowk being the most polluted localities. Highest average PM2.5 concentration was recorded in Gomtinagar (82.5 micrograms per cubic metre), followed by Indiranagar (74.5), Aliganj (71.6), and Vikasnagar (68.3). In commercial areas, Chowk's air was the most polluted with PM 2.5 concentration recorded 107.3 micrograms per cubic metre followed by Chargbagh (107), Aminabad (92.9) and Alambagh (86.5). This year, PM 2.5 concentration range was 68.3-114.5 micrograms while last year this range was 70.6-138.6 micrograms. Meanwhile, highest average PM 10 concentration in residential areas was recorded in Gomtinagar (131.3 micrograms), followed by Aliganj (126.8), Indiranagar 119.8, and Vikasnagar 117.2. In commercial areas, highest PM 10 concentration was recorded in Charbagh (187.6 micrograms) followed by Chowk (174.5), Aminabad (162.6) and Alambagh (151.7), respectively. "April and May are typically dry summer months in Lucknow city. Hence, there is a rise in surface temperature. Air turbulence results in loose soil and road dust resuspension into the atmosphere. Also, the ongoing road widening, pavements, flyover, and building construction activities in the city also contributed the entrainment of dust into the ambient air environment," the IITR report said. The report highlighted that the number of registered vehicles in the city has also gone up that is contributing to more jams, increased fuel consumption and relative traffic pollution along the city roads. Despite these factors, the particulate levels showed a declining trend from the previous year's pre-monsoon surveys. IITR attributed this trend to multiple action plans implemented to mitigate the ambient air pollution concentration. In 2024-25, more EV buses (7 more) and CNG buses (47 more) have been added to the public transport of the city. "The gradual increase in personal EV cars and two-wheelers has also been observed on city roads during the last one year indicating a shift to cleaner fuel vehicle use in the city. Besides, the number of passengers using the Lucknow metro has increased," the report said. It further added that several new flyovers, connecting roads, and outer roads have also shared the load of the city traffic. The outer ring roads around the city have provided uninterrupted routes for long-distance vehicles to avoid entry into the city. Deployment of almost 100 e-sweeping machines (slow moving vehicle) in the city by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) for road cleaning and dust suppression may also have contributed to the reduction in ambient particulate matter levels, the report added.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
EV cars, two-wheelers driving Lucknow closer to green goals
Lucknow: Gradual increase in the number of electric vehicles (EV cars and two-wheelers) on Lucknow roads in the last one year and other air pollution abatement measures have brought positive changes in the city's air quality. As compared to pre-monsoon period in 2024, the corresponding duration is less polluted this year, according to the 'Assessment of Ambient Air Quality of Lucknow City', a pre-monsoon 2025 report released by CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR) on the eve of World Environment Day on Wednesday. According to the report, nine localities of the state capital, comprising four commercial and residential each, and one industrial, were monitored in April-May (pre-monsoon period). The report highlighted that though there is a declining trend in pollution levels as compared to the corresponding period last year, the average pollutant concentration levels recorded were above the safe or permissible limits set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). According to NAAQS, the PM 10 concentration should not be more than 100 and PM 2.5 concentration should not be more than 60 micrograms per cubic metre of air. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In all the nine localities, the air pollution levels were above the safe limits with Gomtinagar, Charbagh and Chowk being the most polluted localities. Highest average PM2.5 concentration was recorded in Gomtinagar (82.5 micrograms per cubic metre), followed by Indiranagar (74.5), Aliganj (71.6), and Vikasnagar (68.3). In commercial areas, Chowk's air was the most polluted with PM 2.5 concentration recorded 107.3 micrograms per cubic metre followed by Chargbagh (107), Aminabad (92.9) and Alambagh (86.5). This year, PM 2.5 concentration range was 68.3-114.5 micrograms while last year this range was 70.6-138.6 micrograms. Meanwhile, highest average PM 10 concentration in residential areas was recorded in Gomtinagar (131.3 micrograms), followed by Aliganj (126.8), Indiranagar 119.8, and Vikasnagar 117.2. In commercial areas, highest PM 10 concentration was recorded in Charbagh (187.6 micrograms) followed by Chowk (174.5), Aminabad (162.6) and Alambagh (151.7), respectively. "April and May are typically dry summer months in Lucknow city. Hence, there is a rise in surface temperature. Air turbulence results in loose soil and road dust resuspension into the atmosphere. Also, the ongoing road widening, pavements, flyover, and building construction activities in the city also contributed the entrainment of dust into the ambient air environment," the IITR report said. The report highlighted that the number of registered vehicles in the city has also gone up that is contributing to more jams, increased fuel consumption and relative traffic pollution along the city roads. Despite these factors, the particulate levels showed a declining trend from the previous year's pre-monsoon surveys. IITR attributed this trend to multiple action plans implemented to mitigate the ambient air pollution concentration. In 2024-25, more EV buses (7 more) and CNG buses (47 more) have been added to the public transport of the city. "The gradual increase in personal EV cars and two-wheelers has also been observed on city roads during the last one year indicating a shift to cleaner fuel vehicle use in the city. Besides, the number of passengers using the Lucknow metro has increased," the report said. It further added that several new flyovers, connecting roads, and outer roads have also shared the load of the city traffic. The outer ring roads around the city have provided uninterrupted routes for long-distance vehicles to avoid entry into the city. Deployment of almost 100 e-sweeping machines (slow moving vehicle) in the city by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) for road cleaning and dust suppression may also have contributed to the reduction in ambient particulate matter levels, the report added.
