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The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has allotted contract to a French company to install air pollution monitoring system at the Golden Temple. However, the ambitious Union government project is running behind the schedule. While accepting some delay in the project, Dr Charanjit Singh, deputy director, Public Relations, PPCB, said, “The air pollution monitoring system is expected to be installed in November.” He said three companies evinced interest by taking part in the bidding process for the installation of air pollution monitoring system. The lowest bid was received from a France-based company, Environment SA, following global tendering, he added. Dr Charanjit said, “The company has quoted lowest price and is ready to install apparatus as per the specifications of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). It will be installed by November.” The air monitoring system will collect real time data around the Golden Temple. Earlier, the air monitoring system was to be installed at the Sikh temple by March end. The CPCB has already released a grant of Rs 55 lakh for the Rs 1.10 crore pollution monitoring system. The remaining Rs 55 were to be shared between the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (AMC). Apart from Amritsar, the monitoring systems will also be installed in Jalandhar and Ludhiana. Many studies in the past have pointed out damaging impact of pollution on centuries-old heritage building of the holiest Sikh shrine due to pollution. The PPCB carried out a study on the impact of pollution on the Golden Temple and its reasons. It found coal hearths being utilised by goldsmiths in closely situated Guru Bazar, halwais, dhabe walahs, located in the vicinity of the holy shrine, responsible for emanating harmful gases, which had adverse impact on the heritage building. Another study carried out by experts of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, in its interim report had submitted that the main building of the Golden Temple was adversely affected by pollution caused due to industries, vehicles, generators, tandoor restaurants and stubble burning by farmers. While acknowledging the interim report, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had asked the state government to take action as per the recommendations of IIT, and file a status report.
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