Concerned over frequent fires at the Perungudi and Kodungaiyur dump yards and snowed under by complaints from residents about air pollution and health hazards, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board decided to install realtime continuous air quality monitoring stations in these areas. It has been almost two years since plans were announced to set up stations capable of testing, analysing and transmitting air pollution levels to online servers of the pollution control board. “Two real-time monitoring stations will be set up near Perungudi and Kodungaiyur which will help closely monitor air pollution levels and their impact on the people residing in these lo calities,“ said a senior TNPCB official. The stations will help make an accurate assessment of the rise in air pollution level and also the nature of particulate matter and fumes emitted whenever a fire breaks out in a dump yard. Residents of Kodungaiyur say the only viable solution for people in localities like Ezhil Nagar, Krishnamurthy Nagar, Raja Ratnam Nagar and nearby areas was moving out the dump yard. “We are clear and firm about our demand,“ said Ganesa Perumal of Krishnamurthy Nagar. real-time continuous air quality monitoring stations are also expected to be set up at Koyambedu, Royapuram and Gummidipoondi. The station at Koyambedu was to be set up earlier this year but was then moved to Tuticorin. TNPCB is setting up the air quality measurement stations based on directions from the Central Pollution Control Board. As of now there are 11 air pollution monitoring stations where readings are manually updated and recorded. According to officials, a real-time monitoring station will be equipped to analyse the level of suspended particulate matter, sulphur and nitrous oxide content and also ammonia and other chemical components.