Ahmedabad: Marking World Environment Day, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Friday launched an ambitious air quality management initiative in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, aimed at strengthening pollution monitoring and control through artificial intelligence, real-time data analytics and hyper-local monitoring systems.

As part of the project, titled “Smart Sensing and Digital Intelligence for Integrated Air Quality Management in Ahmedabad City,” Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off a Mobile Real-Time Source Apportionment Laboratory. The initiative is expected to help authorities scientifically identify major sources of air pollution in real time and implement more effective, data-driven mitigation measures.

The project will introduce an AI-based air quality forecasting system capable of predicting pollution levels up to 72 hours in advance. The forecasts will enable civic authorities to take preventive actions such as water sprinkling, traffic management, regulation of construction activities, and other pollution-control measures before air quality deteriorates.

AMC stated that the project, being implemented jointly with IIT Kanpur, will run from April 2026 to December 2030. The first phase, scheduled to continue until December 2027, has an estimated cost of Rs 10.60 crore.

Under the first phase, Ahmedabad will establish 10 air quality monitoring stations equipped to measure PM2.5, PM10 and gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂). The network will support hyper-local pollution monitoring and provide scientific data for source apportionment studies.

The project will also deploy machine-learning models to identify pollution sources at the local level, assess and revive existing low-cost sensor networks, and develop strategies for scaling up air quality monitoring across the city. The entire system will be integrated with the city’s Smart City Integrated Command and Control Centre, enabling real-time alerts, SOP-based interventions and inter-departmental coordination.

According to AMC, Ahmedabad has already recorded nearly a 40 per cent improvement in air quality compared to 2018-19 due to various measures, including road paving, urban greening, oxygen parks, mist machines, solar installations, CNG-based crematoriums, automated traffic management systems, and the expansion of CNG and electric public transport.

For the scientific study, 10 sampling sites have been identified across the city, including Motera Stadium, Naranpura, Raikhad, Rakhial, Vatva GIDC, Sardar Patel Stadium, Bopal, Chandkheda, Pirana-Gyaspur and Thaltej. These locations were selected based on population exposure, emission diversity, activity zones and local meteorological conditions.

Researchers will examine pollution arising from traffic congestion, biomass burning, industrial emissions, construction activity, landfill operations and waste burning in different parts of the city. Thaltej has been selected as the background monitoring site.

The study will be conducted using an advanced mobile laboratory equipped with instruments such as E-BAM, HR-ToF-AMS, Xact-625i, AE-51 Micro Aethalometer, SMPS, OPS, gas analysers, meteorological sensors and low-cost monitoring sensors. These instruments will continuously measure particulate matter, black carbon, trace elements, gaseous pollutants and particle-size distributions.

The first sampling station under the project has already been established at the Sabarmati Riverfront Sports Complex, where equipment installation has been completed and calibration is currently underway. Data collection for source apportionment studies will begin once the calibration process is completed.

According to AMC, the initiative is expected to provide real-time scientific insights into pollution sources, reduce the frequency and duration of pollution hotspots, improve seasonal air quality trends, and support Ahmedabad’s long-term vision of cleaner air, healthier citizens and sustainable urban development. DeshGujarat