The municipality of Eloor has formally urged the Pollution Control Board (PCB) to address the persistent malfunctioning of the river monitoring station and ambient air monitoring system installed in the region. These systems, vital for assessing the levels of water and air pollution, have been reported as unreliable, frequently displaying inaccurate readings. This issue has sparked widespread concern among local residents and municipal authorities alike, prompting calls for urgent intervention to ensure effective environmental monitoring.
Municipality chairperson expressed frustration over the ongoing technical glitches, highlighting the importance of accurate data in managing environmental health. “The monitoring systems are consistently providing erroneous readings, which undermines our efforts to maintain pollution control,” the chairperson stated. In response to these challenges, the municipality has decided to escalate the matter with PCB officials, demanding immediate repairs and regular maintenance to restore the reliability of these crucial systems. Local residents have also raised their voices against the inefficiency of the monitoring equipment, citing instances where the systems have failed to deliver precise pollution data. The lack of annual maintenance for several years has further compounded these problems, leading to increasing distrust in the pollution monitoring process. Many residents have staged protests, arguing that the inaccurate data hampers efforts to address the severe pollution problems in the area.
The urgency of the situation was starkly highlighted in April when the release of polluted water downstream of the Periyar River, following the opening of the Pathalam regulator-cum-bridge shutters, resulted in the death of thousands of fish. This incident underscored the critical need for robust monitoring systems capable of detecting and responding to pollution spikes promptly. The failure to maintain these systems adequately is seen as a significant oversight, jeopardising both environmental safety and public health.
The municipality’s call for action reflects a growing awareness and intolerance of environmental neglect, pressing the PCB to take definitive steps in rectifying the faulty monitoring systems. There is a clear consensus that without accurate and reliable monitoring, efforts to tackle pollution effectively will remain hindered. The onus now lies with the PCB to ensure that these systems are operational and dependable, thus safeguarding the environment and public well-being. As the municipality and local communities continue to advocate for stronger environmental oversight, the focus remains on the PCB’s response and their commitment to upholding environmental standards. The effective functioning of pollution monitoring systems is crucial not only for immediate environmental management but also for fostering long-term ecological sustainability in Kochi.
