Latest news with #NationalInstituteofAdvancedStudies
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Take a deep breath in
Central Pollution Control Board National Institute of Advanced Studies A traffic mix of slow-moving, low-speed, and high-speed vehicles is the biggest issue that Bengaluru is facing, which is impacting the city's air quality — Professor Gufran Beig, chair at NIAS Other than lowering the blistering heat, rain has had a positive impact on the air too. Bengaluru's air quality has improved after a few spells of rain throughout April, data has city witnessed more days with a 'satisfactory' air quality index in April compared with previous logged 27 'satisfactory' and three 'moderate' air quality days in the month. Experts say this is because the rain, along with increased humidity, led to the settling down of air pollutants from vehicular traffic and dust particles.'Better air quality and a greater number of 'good' air quality days can be attributed to April showers. Bengaluru has witnessed excess rainfall in the month, leading to dust and particulate matter settling down. Although the duration of the showers was low, most of them were of high intensity, washing away pollutants,' said an air quality to standards prescribed by the(CPCB), an air quality index (AQI) of 0-50 is categorised as 'good,' AQI of 51-100 is considered 'satisfactory,' AQI of 101-200 is termed as 'moderate,' and AQI values ranging from 201-300 are considered 'poor.'Bengaluru also experienced more 'good' air quality days in many areas in March this year compared to the previous Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) at Nisarga Bhavan recorded 28 good air quality days in March this year, in comparison to only seven such days in March 2024. Similarly, Stations in Jaynagar and Mysore Road recorded one 'good' air quality day each. CAAQMS at NIMHANS showed that the area witnessed six 'good' air quality days, and HSR Layout station recorded three such days this year. In 2024, all these stations had recorded zero 'good' air quality Professor Gufran Beig, chair at the(NIAS) and an air quality expert, says the increase in 'good' air quality days in March this year is accidental. Notably, Professor Beig and his team conducted an emission hotspot study in the city last year and found that Bengaluru has 80 locations with high levels of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 also revealed that the total annual particulate emissions in the city in 2023-24 reached 113 Gg/year for PM10 and 68 Gg/year in the case of PM2.5. Improvements in traffic management, infrastructure, power supply, industrial emissions control, and waste management practices were some recommendations made by the researchers.'Not much has happened on the ground after we published our study last year. A traffic mix of slow-moving, low-speed, and high-speed vehicles is the biggest issue that Bengaluru is facing, which is impacting the city's air quality. The prime reason is bus stops without designated bays. Buses block lanes while picking up and dropping off passengers, causing emissions. This is the first step towards making the city's hotspots more bearable,' said Professor Beig.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
PM Modi honours ex-Isro chief Kasturirangan, lauds his contributions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tribute to former Isro Chairman Dr K Kasturirangan and stated that under his leadership Isro had gained a new identity, further stating that the space programs brought under the guidance of Kasturirangan had brought global recognition to India's efforts. Addressing the 121st episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Modi said that the former Isro Chairman had the quality of prioritising innovation, further stating that his ability to learn something new was inspiring. "His contribution to science, education and taking India's space program to new heights will always be remembered. Under his leadership, Isro gained a new identity. The space programs that progressed under his guidance brought global recognition to India's efforts. Many of the satellites that India uses today were launched under his guidance," Modi said. "Another remarkable aspect of his personality which the younger generation can truly learn is the importance he gave to innovation and the vision of learning and doing something new which is truly inspiring," the PM further said. He also stated that Kasturirangan had also played an important role in shaping the country's National Education Policy (NEP), further stating that he came with the idea of a forward looking education. "He also played a big role in shaping the country's new National Education Policy. He came with the idea of a forward looking education and his selfless service to the nation will always be remembered," the PM further stated. Former Isro chairman Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan passed away in Bengaluru today at the age of 84. in a post on X consoling his demise, PM Modi had highlighting Dr Kasturirangan's instrumental role in advancing India's space programme. In PM Modi's post on X , "He served Isro with great diligence, steering India's space programme to new heights, for which we also received global recognition. His leadership also witnessed ambitious satellite launches and focussed on innovation." During his nearly decade-long tenure at Isro, Dr. Kasturirangan was instrumental in the development of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), which went on to become the country's most reliable satellite launch system. From 2003 to 2009, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha while also holding the position of Director at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. A recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, Dr K Kasturirangan served as the chairman of Isro for nine years from 1994 to 2003. He had also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha (2003-09) and a member of the Planning Commission of India. He played a key role in shaping India's education policy as the chairman of the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
