- Port inaugurates Air Quality Monitoring Station
JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust), India’s number one container Port has installed an Air Quality Monitoring Station as part of the effort towards sustainable development and environment conservation. This Station will monitor the air quality, pollution levels and other relevant parameters, in the Port area, on real time basis. Since the theme for this year, as declared by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is ‘Air Pollution, it was apt to inaugurate this ‘Green Port’ initiative on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Commenting on the launch, Shri Sanjay Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPT said, “It is imperative for every business to be cognisant of their responsibility towards the environment. At JNPT, we are constantly looking for eco–friendly options, in our endeavour to be a Green Port and have numerous environment-led initiatives aimed towards sustainability. Quality air and water are critical elements for healthy life and hence, as a Port it is critical that we keep a close check on the purity of the air, and take timely corrective measures to maintain it.”
This Station has an ad-hoc network set up with multiple mobile sensors and stationary sensors at various locations at the Port. These sensors will monitor critical meteorological parameters at a time resolution of once every second. The cumulative readings from the sensors will be analysed in real time basis and displayed on the digital board. In addition, the data collected over a period of time will provide a wealth of fine grained temporal and spatial information which will help us gain deeper insights on the various trends of environmental effects. An expert system for air quality index prediction will also be developed and it will use both real time air quality data obtained from sophisticated online monitoring station with conjoined sensor network. This Station will be operated and maintained by Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
Apart from this launch, JNPT had host of other activities too as part of the ‘World Environment Day’ celebration. The day began with the Shri Sanjay Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPT administering the Environmental Pledge to the Port employees and Port users, followed by a sapling plantation drive in the administrative building campus. A street play on the theme of ‘Air Pollution’ was also organized in order to raise awareness about the perils of air pollution and how we can tackle this menace.
There are numerous other eco-friendly initiatives already underway at JNPT, as part their commitment towards transforming into a Green Port. Key initiatives include harnessing of solar power, setting up of a Sewage treatment plant for recycling of waste water and Solid waste management plant. The Port has also switched to e-RTGCs and LED lights at JNP area to lower energy consumption & decrease the carbon footprints in the environment. In addition, the Port also regularly conducts seminars and knowledge sessions to raise awareness on various aspects of quality and health of Ports wherein environment plays a critical role.
