https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

No Longer Is It India’s Most Polluted City

Mandi Gobindgarh, a town in Punjab, sheds the title of the most polluted city in India with the sustained efforts of IAS officer Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In the year 2010, the town of Mandi Gobindgarh was declared as one of the most polluted cities of the country by the Government of India. Setting up of new factories and expansion of existing units was thereby banned in this polluted city. Efforts to reverse the title of the ‘most polluted city’ were initiated the same year but none bore fruit till Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu assumed the post to erase the black spot from the fair name of the city and provide it a sure breather by slow but steady steps.

In a conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Pannu explains in detail, his work for the city.

IAS officer Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu

A PROMISE TO THE RESIDENTS

The Diwali of the year 2017 proved to be a turning point in the history of Mandi Gobindgarh, when the residents, on the insistence of the PPCB Chairman, resolved to celebrate green Diwali. Mr. Pannu, at the same time, assured to deploy means, both scientific and regulatory, to cleanse the city of pollution in a period of mere 3 years.

Accepting the enormous challenge, he immediately constituted a team. Its findings revealed that the dust emitted by 92 induction furnace units was one of the main culprits. The findings further showed that a total of 1000 tons of coal was being burnt daily by various industrial units.

“The dust emitted by unrepaired and kaccha roads were also to be blamed. Emission from diesel-powered three-wheelers and at the same time from the brick kilns was also adding to the degeneration of the environment,” he told Indian Masterminds.

Diesel powered vehicles were converted into CNG powered vehicles

SIDE HOOD SYSTEM TO CONTROL DUST

Mr. Pannu lost no time and constituted numerous teams of PPCB engineers and environmentalists to address the issue. A detailed scientific and technological examination of the causes of pollution enabled the experts to come out with authentic solutions.

After a thorough examination, the teams came out with a model of dust emission control called the “side hood system of dust arresting”. Model side hoods were thus fabricated and installed without further time loss. Local fabricators were trained to learn the design of the fabrication of the new system.

“Direction under section 31-A of Air Pollution Act 1981 was given to all the induction furnaces units in the town and adjoining cities to make it mandatory to install the side hoods on induction furnaces by the end of the year 2019. The collection of dust from induction units thus increased from 10 tons to 600 tons per month,” says Mr. Pannu.

Side hood arresting dust emissions completely

ALTERNATE METHODS

A research team was constituted by Mr. Pannu to find out an alternative method of treating the dust emitted by induction furnaces. Zinc, which is the most prominent compound in dust emission, was segregated through a chemical process. It could now be sold in the market at a remunerative price.

The officer formally allowed zinc extraction units to operate under the relevant provisions of the law. This arrangement incentivized the industrial units to collect maximum dust through the proper use of side hood technology. This indirectly helped in the resurrection of the air quality of the city.

Unit to extract zinc out of dust of induction furnaces

ROAD REPAIRING

The municipal committee of Mandi Gobindgarh was asked to repair all the roads and unpaved premises of industrial units. In order to curb the vehicular emissions, a direction by PPCB was given in the year 2018 under which new registration of diesel /petrol three-wheelers was banned in the major cities of Punjab including Mandi Gobindgarh.

“Five CNG gas stations were set up in the vicinity of the city for ensuring continuous supply of gas to vehicles,” said Mr. Pannu.

Compulsory Interlock tiles at all the weigh bridges in the city to ensure zero dust emissions.

CONTROLLING BRICK KILN POLLUTION

In order to control brick kiln pollution, a new technology of high draught zigzag was introduced in the state. Directions were issued to all brick kilns to shift to new technology by 31st December 2018. All the 36 brick kilns, in and around Mandi Gobindgarh, were made to shift to new technology.

Subsequently, the Air Quality Index in the region, which was 196 in 2017, improved to 131 in 2020. Innovation, regulation, and continuous monitoring, apart from the active involvement of citizens, forced the Ministry of Environment to lift the sanctions against the expansion as well as setting up new industrial units in the city.

Zig zag technology brick kiln

“During the last 3 years, 30 induction furnaces and 20 rolling mills have expanded their capacities and 25 new induction and rolling units have been set up in the city. Also, with a new expressway being built, major traffic load from NH 44 would be diverted in the near future. Awareness against farm fires being generated alongside, the air quality shall improve further in the times to come. The experience of improving the quality of air of Mandi Gobindgarh is worth repeating in other cities of the world,” Mr. Pannu said.

Air quality index figures of different cities of Punjab published in today’s prominent Punjabi newspaper. Mandi Gobindgarh is last but one with AQI of only 65 as compared to 122 in Bathinda and 102 in Ludhiana

The consistent efforts of the board in making Mandi Gobindgarh a clean city for the past three years have resulted in marked improvement in the Air Quality Index of the city and the pains taken by IAS Mr. Pannu have borne long term fruits for the town and its people.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
NTPC_Tapovan Donates_Ambulance_
NTPC Hands Over ₹30 Lakh Advanced Life Support Ambulance to Chamoli District Hospital to Boost Emergency Healthcare
NTPC_Barauni_signed_agreement_
NTPC Barauni to Install 89 High-Mast Lights Across Begusarai to Boost Safety and Community Development
BPCL_bags_Excellence_Awards_
BPCL Wins Top Honours for City Gas Distribution and Customer Service at 19th PNGRB Foundation Day
Allahabad high court
SC Collegium Approves Appointment of Vinai Kumar Dwivedi as Judge of Allahabad High Court
JK Cement Health Camp Panna
Free Health Camp Organised for Forest Personnel During Wildlife Week 2025 by South Panna Forest Division
REC Mobile Medical Units
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Flags Off REC’s ₹5.71 Cr Mobile Medical Units to Boost Rural Healthcare in Rajasthan
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Sagar Datta Majumdar UPSC CSE 2024 AIR 317
“Don’t get trapped in the vicious cycle of self-doubt,” says UPSC Achiever Sagar Datta Majumdar
Discover how Sagar Datta Majumdar from Agartala, Tripura, cracked UPSC CSE 2024 with All India Rank 317....
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT