SYNOPSIS

Name of the student: Syed Ahrar Jilani Roll No: 9000730

Enroll no: GD1338 App No: 90000483

Degree for which submitted: PhD. Department: Civil Engineering

Thesis Title: Comprehensive Study on Air Pollution in Moradabad (Current Status,

Control Options, Credible Plan)

Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Sohail Ayub

In 2009, the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), Govt. of India, in association with

the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi and the Indian Institute of Technology

(IIT), New Delhi have, carried out an environmental assessment of industrial clusters across

the country named "Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index" (CEPI). The CEPI criteria

were revised in 2016, and based on the CEPI-2016 criteria, CPCB carried out further

monitoring in 2017-18. Areas with CEPI = 70 and above are termed as critically polluted, and

those with CEPI < 70 as severely polluted. Four severely polluted viz. Noida, Meerut, Aligarh,

Singrauli (UP and MP) and nine critically polluted areas were identified, Moradabad, UP being

one of them. There is a need to identify control options for ambient air polluting sources with

a time-bound action plan.

Three sites are chosen for sampling purposes, namely, (i) Buddha bazaar (Commercial), (ii)

Police Training Centre, Kanth Road (Residential) and (iii) Maharaja Harishchandra Degree

College, Lajpat Nagar (Industrial). Sampling is to be carried out for the winter (November,

December, and January) and summer (April, May, and June) seasons. As of now, ambient air
quality for Moradabad has been monitored from January-December 2019 using three

monitoring stations. Buddha Bazaar performed worst, and the other two sites showed a

'Moderate' air quality index (AQI). Annual average(µg/m3) of NOx (11.1 – 90.20), PM2.5 (88-

318) and PM10 (38- 203) exceeded their respective standards.

A comprehensive scientific study is to be undertaken with control options and their

effectiveness. The focus is on PM2.5, PM10 and NOx emissions. PM10 levels are 3-4 times higher

than the national air quality standards in the summer and winter months. The overall average

concentration of PM10 in the summer season is around 400 μg/m3 against the acceptable level

of 100 μg/m3. PM2.5 levels are 3-3.5 times higher than the national air quality standards in the

summer and winter months. The overall average concentration of PM2.5 in the summer season

is around 300 μg/m3 against the acceptable level of 60 μg/m3. The overall average concentration

of PM2.5 in the winter season is approximately 200 μg/m3 against the acceptable level of 60

μg/m3. The overall average concentration of PM10 in the winter season is around 300 μg/m3

against the acceptable level of 100 μg/m3. The ratio of PM2.5/PM10 was found to be 0.63 in

winter and 0.57 during summer seasons. Major sources include industries. There are no coal &

biomass-based power plants in the cluster & impact zone of the study area with no

transportation of heavy earthmovers. There are 78 metal surface treatment industries with 109

coal-based metal furnaces in the study area. The adjacent areas are generally surrounded by

residential, commercial, and heterogeneous industrial activity, and hence these activities do

have an impact on the cluster.

Possible action plans are identified as

(i) Installation of pollution control devices by various red/orange category industries,

(ii) Identification of low cost and advanced cleaner technology for air pollution

control(ex. Wet Scrubber),

 (iii) Introduction and switch over to cleaner (low Sulphur & low ash content) fuels

(iv) Establishment of PNG network to supply PNG in Lakdi Fazalpur, Delhi Road,

Kanth Road areas to 71 industries/commercial institutions

(v) Identification and development of damaged roads which need repairment and

maintenance

(vi) Identification of private sector potential investors and their contribution.

Syed Ahrar Jilani Prof. Sohail Ayub