By IANS,
New Delhi: India Wednesday launched the air quality monitoring system for the Commonwealth Games. The system will provide real time pollution data at 11 key locations in the city during the mega-event.
Developed by scientists at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the System of Air Pollution Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) was launched at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here by Shailesh Nayak, secretary in the ministry of earth sciences.
SAFAR will provide information on air quality on an hourly basis and forecast pollution levels 24 hours in advance through wireless colour digital display panels located at 11 key points near the Games venues and the Games Village.
The IITM has also prepared an emission inventory for the Games to provide accurate air quality information.
The inventory has been prepared using data – number of vehicles, industries, shanties, hotels and restaurants and other sources – collected from near Games venues and the Games Village after a two-month long exercise.
Some 7,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries and territories are expected to participate in the Games, India’s biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games.