Ahmedabad: Under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s budget for the year 2026–27, special priority has been accorded to measures aimed at improving the city’s air quality in view of the Commonwealth Games 2030. These measures include road dust control, traffic management, enhancement of green cover, control of vehicular emissions, and strengthening of air quality monitoring systems.

In this context, a key meeting was chaired by the Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner with representatives from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to discuss strategies for improving the city’s air quality. The meeting focused on the theme “Smart Sensing and Digital Intelligence for Integrated Management.”

The meeting was attended by Professor Sachchidanand Tripathi, a representative from IIT Kanpur, the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Health), the Health Officer, and other concerned officials. On this occasion, Professor Sachchidanand Tripathi made a detailed presentation discussing the development of near-real-time response systems, artificial intelligence-based data analysis, and the establishment of a hyper-local, sensor-based monitoring network to enhance air quality across the city.

As part of this initiative, pollution hotspots will be identified through the use of monitoring grids, mobile laboratories, and near-real-time source apportionment study technology across various areas of the city. This will enable ward-level, SOP-based actions for immediate control measures, thereby facilitating swift and scientific interventions for pollution control.

Between 2026 and 2030, a phased implementation plan will be undertaken, encompassing baseline mapping, sensor installation, data platform development, capacity building, and real-time decision-based management. The effective execution of these initiatives is expected to make a significant contribution to the city’s sustainable development and improvement in air quality.

With the implementation of this plan, substantial improvement in the city’s air quality is anticipated in the coming years, along with a positive impact on public health. This technology-driven initiative will prove to be a major step towards making Ahmedabad a cleaner, well-managed, and healthier city. DeshGujarat