Air quality watch to expand: GBA plans monitor in every Bengaluru ward

Greater Bengaluru Authority moves to strengthen pollution tracking and heat risk mapping as part of a wider plan to improve public health and environmental management.

In a major step to tackle growing air quality concerns, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is planning a significant expansion of air pollution monitoring infrastructure across the city, including the installation of one monitoring station in every ward.

The plan was discussed during a meeting between GBA and the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), where the need for accurate and granular air quality data was emphasised. Expanding the monitoring network is expected to help authorities collect detailed information on pollution levels and identify specific pollution hotspots across Bengaluru.

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With a higher number of monitoring stations, the city will be able to track PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels more precisely. These indicators are critical in understanding the intensity and sources of air pollution. Elevated PM 10 levels can often point to dust and emissions linked to construction activity, while PM 2.5 reflects finer pollutants that pose serious health risks.

 Such data will play a key role in shaping policy-level decisions and targeted interventions.

Beyond air pollution, the GBA is also focusing on heat-related risks as the city heads towards summer. Plans are underway to identify urban heat islands, areas that experience higher temperatures and can pose serious health threats to residents, especially vulnerable groups.

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Once these heat-prone zones are mapped, the authority intends to implement simple and effective mitigation measures. These include increasing green cover through tree plantation and setting up rest shelters in affected areas. Such steps are expected to reduce heat stress and improve overall living conditions in high-risk locations.