04.06.2011

Mobile Ambient Air Monitoring Unit of CPCL launched

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) has launched a mobile ambient air monitoring unit that will keep a tab on atmospheric pollution in CPCL’s premises in Manali.

At a function to mark the World Environment Day celebrations on 03.06.2011 at Manali Government Higher Secondary School, the Hon’ble Minister for Backward Classes and Environment, Government of Tamilnadu Mr.T.K.M.Chinnayya launched the state-of-the art Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Van. The Rs.1 crore van is fitted with a set of sensors that can gauge sulphur-di-oxide, nitrous oxide, particulate matter, carbon-monoxide, and hydrocarbons. It can also measure weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind velocity and direction. Mr.K.Balachandran, Managing Director, Mr.S.Venkataramana, Director (Operations), Ms.D.Lilly, Director (Finance), CPCL, Mr.R.Ramachandran, Member-Secretary, Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board and Mr.Mullai R.Gnanasekar, Chairman, Manali Municipality, participated.

As a mark of the theme of this year’s observation of World Environment Day, the Hon’ble Minister and the senior officials planted saplings in the premises of Manali Government Higher Secondary School.

Participating in his first public function after taking over as a Minister in the new Government, the Hon’ble Minister called for striking a balance between industrialization and environmental safety. Lauding CPCL for its efforts in environment protection, the Hon’ble Minister noted that Manali being a “Critical Polluted Area”, urged CPCL and other industries operating in the area to ensure continued commitment to minimize pollution hazards in the area.

Mr.K.Kuppan, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly, appealed to the Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board to regularly monitor pollution levels in Manali and launch measures to ensure the health of the residents in the area.

Mr.K.Balachandran, Managing Director, CPCL, in his welcome address said that CPCL aimed to double the green belt stretches to 100 acres. This he said would be done by developing green belts off its premises in areas such as its desalination plant in Kattupalli. Mr.S.Venkataramana, Director (Operations), CPCL, proposed a vote of thanks.

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