The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), Naroda, comes out with the dubious distinction of being the most polluting area in Gujarat, reveal figures of yearly average in seven cities.

Under a national project, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) monitors the ambient air quality at various locations in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Vapi, Ankleshwar, Rajkot and Jamnagar.

The annual status released in the Socio-Economic Survey 2007-08 admits that the suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) are on the higher side of the permissible limits of 100 micrograms per cubic metre. The reasons are attributed to vehicular emissions and dusting due to the semi-arid climate and soil pattern of the state.

Though the levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide have been shown within permissible limits during 2007-08, there is no reason to be overjoyed, as the figures indicate an yearly average, and air pollution also remains under control on days like Diwali or Sundays when vehicular emissions remain low compared to other days.

According to the survey, the Naroda GIDC remains at the top of the most polluted list with 329 SPM levels followed by CETP Nandesari (326). In RSPM levels, Nandesari is worst hit with regard to average RSPM levels at 171 throughout the year under review. Overall, among cities, Ahmedabad remains the most polluted followed by Vadodara and Rajkot.

Sanjiv Tyagi, member-secretary of GPCB, said he could not comment on the report, as he did not have details. Dipak Babaria, who has been connected with industrial associations on pollution matters, said nothing much was being done in the name of follow-up action after monitoring the air and water quality.

“Polluting units with clout have political protection and succeed in slowing down action against them,” he said.

In 2007, the state government started a new scheme ‘State Air Monitoring Programme’ to tackle the rising air pollution.