To develop prototype of pollution sensor that can be affixed atop traffic junctions To warn people of pollution hotspots, the National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS) — the policy arm of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) — is rolling out a project to install pollution sensors at the Capital’s traffic junctions. Message alert The aim, said NISTADS director Prashant Goswami, was to develop a messaging alert system that will warn people of spikes in pollution in certain localities. Test project For over a year, NISTADS researchers have been running a test project that involved a pollution-monitoring unit affixed on a van which went around specific localities in Delhi. It recorded the waxing and waning of particulate matter throughout the day. Generally, pollution levels tended to be higher in the morning and ebbed as the sun ascended. “Along with our own data, we have also analysed pollution data collected by the Central Pollution Control Board [CPCB],” said Mr. Goswami, adding, “However, there is no information on how pollution levels changed throughout the day. That is what we hope to conceive as a service.” The NISTADS expects private companies to buy the idea, tap the CSIR body’s database and offer this as a product similar to how Google Maps warns users of an impending roadblock. The process of data collection is still on and the NISTADS is also looking to develop a prototype of pollution sensor that can be easily affixed atop trafficjunctions. ‘Clean Air for Delhi’ Recently, the Delhi government and the Union Environment Ministry had joined hands for ‘Clean Air for Delhi’ campaign which witnessed nearly 7,000 environmental violations and 3,000 challans being issued for a range of infractions, ranging from open burning of waste, construction and road dust violations and vehicular pollution, and 635 cases of traffic congestion.