Mangaluru: The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has commissioned a Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) at the Seamen’s Memorial Garden in the NMPA wharf area, near Mallya Gate, to monitor air quality in real time.
The initiative, launched on Friday, aims to strengthen environmental management, safeguard public health, and ensure compliance with the National Air Quality Standards. The newly installed system measures key pollutants including PM10, PM2.5, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, CO, NH₃, along with other parameters mandated by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
The station also tracks weather conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, humidity, temperature, ambient pressure, and solar radiation. All data is continuously transmitted to the KSPCB and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), while real-time readings are displayed at the port gate for public awareness.
The project, executed at a contract cost of ₹2.76 crore, was completed on August 10 and includes a five-year maintenance plan up to July 16, 2030. According to officials, this facility will help in taking timely corrective measures to reduce pollution levels and promote a healthier environment.
The NMPA has also urged citizens to regularly check air quality readings, emphasizing that this step aligns with the national objective of expanding air quality monitoring networks across India.