Ahmedabad, Dec 11 (NationPress) The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has introduced two advanced mobile environmental monitoring vans.

These vehicles, acquired through the Environment Damage Compensation (EDC) fund at an investment exceeding Rs 5.76 crore, are now functional across various districts.

In an ongoing effort to combat pollution, six industrial units in Ahmedabad have received show-cause notices for breaching air quality regulations. The mobile vans are designated for different zones—one focusing on North Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch, while the other targets Central and South Gujarat.

These vans will support regional GPCB offices in Ahmedabad (Rural, Urban, and East), Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Palanpur, Himmatnagar, Anand, Nadiad, Vadodara, Godhra, Bharuch, Ankleshwar, Valsad, Surat, Navsari, Vapi, and Sarigam.

Under the guidance of State Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Pravin Mali, the GPCB is playing a vital role in upholding environmental standards while promoting sustainable industrial growth and protecting public health.

Each mobile unit is furnished with cutting-edge analysers, detectors, and portable instruments to evaluate air and water quality instantly. In emergencies like gas leaks, the vans can swiftly reach the incident site to evaluate real-time environmental factors.

They are essential for overseeing chemical hubs, GIDCs, SEZs, and other high-risk pollution areas.

A standout feature is the integrated Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS), which measures pollutants including PM10, PM2.5, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, and xylene. The vans are also equipped with VOC detectors, noise meters, and tools to analyze contaminants in water and wastewater samples.

This rapid on-site evaluation facilitates prompt decisions and quicker resolutions of public pollution complaints. During a trial period until November 15, the van stationed at GPCB's Ahmedabad-East regional office conducted extensive monitoring in Vatva, Naroda, Narol, and Odhav industrial clusters.

Following its assessments, multiple associations and units were issued show-cause notices on Monday.

One van is currently operational in Kalol GIDC (Gandhinagar region), while the second is based at Ankleshwar GIDC in the South-Central zone.

The GPCB has been conducting meetings with representatives from major industrial organizations to devise coordinated strategies to mitigate air pollution. Awareness campaigns are also being implemented using the mobile vans to promote safer and cleaner industrial practices.