KOCHI:
Kerala’s two major cities – Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram – reported significantly better air quality during the lockdown from May to July than in the earlier months of the year from February to April. Kochi recorded lesser air pollution compared to Thiruvananthapuram during all months, according to a study by Ambee, a clean-tech start-up focused on pollution monitoring that is accurate and cost-effective.
Ambee builds comprehensive systems for air quality monitoring, and offers real-time data to a granular level – updated every few minutes for the neighborhood at a post code level. Since the end of 2019, Ambee has also tested solutions with various authorities around the globe, including pollution control boards in India. Ambee is backed by US-based venture capital firm Season Two Ventures, managed by Sajan Pillai, a technology investor and entrepreneur, who earlier founded a billion-dollar IT services company UST Global.
The study covered important locations across Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram during the months of February to July, 2020. The Air Quality Index measures the particulate matter and levels of other gases in the air. Air Quality Index measures from 0 to 500, the lower the number, the better is the quality of air.
Kochi Air Quality Index (AQI) is consistently low, which means the air quality was better than Thiruvananthapuram throughout the months of February to July.
Kochi consistently recorded an air quality between 45 and 50 in the months of May, June and July whereas, the air quality in Thiruvananthapuram was between 55 and 65 in the same months. The average AQI in Kochi during May – July was 48.6 versus Thiruvananthapuram which was 59.75. In a
stark contrast to the immediately preceding months, including the early lockdown phase, the AQI in Kochi during Feb–April was 83.11 and that of Thiruvananthapuram was 89.18.
During February to April, the following locations recorded the best air quality:
Kochi – Kothad (97), Cheranalloor (98), West Veliyathunad Area (98), Thathapilly (98), Varapuzha(98), Kadamakkudy (78), Kothad Area (78), Kaitharam (78), Kottuvally (78), Union Christian College (54), S Aduvassery Area (54) and Uliyanoor (54).
Thiruvananthapuram – Mannanthala (103), Vikas Bhavan (111), Muttada (111), Palkulangara Area (111), Vallakkadavu (111), Venpakal Area (89), Vanchiyoor (89), Goureesappatom (89), Pattom Palace (52), University (52) and Kowdiar Square (52).
In February to April, the following locations recorded the worst air quality:
Kochi – Vyttila (131), Eroor (130), Eroor West Area (130), Eroor South (130), Maradu (129), Parakkadavu (104), Kaloor (64), Kadavanthra Area (63), Kochi MG Road (63) and Ernakulam (63).
Thiruvananthapuram – Karyavattom (117), Technopark (117), Channankara Area (117), Thundathil (117), Kazhakuttam (117), Kappil (107), Hariharapuram (106), Venkulam Area (106), Pullanicode (105), Elakamon – Kizhakkepuram (76) and Sainik School (76).
During the lockdown period, May to July, the following locations recorded the best air quality:
Kochi – Kurumassery (46), Thaikkatukara (46), Kongorpilly Area (47), West Kadugalloor (47), Neericode (47), Ernakulam High Court (44), Ernakulam North (44), Ernakulam College Area (44), Cheranalloor (44), AIMS Ponekkara (44), Shanmugham Road (35) and Chittoor-ekm (35).
Thiruvananthapuram – Kowdiar Square (41), Venpakal (41), Vikas Bhavan Area (41), Thiruvananthapuram University (41), Goureesapattom (41), Mannanthala (54), Vakkom(61), Thattathumala Area (61), Vellallur(61), Kulamuttam(61), Kappil (58), Hariharapuram (58), Moothala Area (58), Venkulam (58) and Kokkotukonam (58).
During the lockdown period, May to July, the following locations recorded the worst air quality:
Kochi – Parakadavu (77), Chennithala (71), Chennithala South Area (71), Njakkanal (70), Kappil East (69), Krishnapuram (59), Udyogamandal (51) and Manjummel (51).
Thiruvananthapuram – Kappil(70), Hariharapuram (69), Venkulam Area (69), Puliyancode(69), Elakamon – Kizhakkepuram (68), Pazhayakunnummel (69), Perumkulam (68), Nedumparambu Area (68), Kilimanoor Palace (68), Adayamon (68), Mannanthala, Thiruvananthapuram University(61), Goureesapattom Area (61), Vanchiyoor Junction (61) and Public Office (61).
Besides air quality levels, Ambee measures a number of air quality parameters and pollutants, including those that are considered by multiple government agencies for air quality index (AQI) measurements. Ambee’s multimodal approach and its array of sensors measure air quality, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. Ambee is an environmental intelligence start-up founded by Madhusudhan Anand, Akshay Joshi and Jaideep Singh Bachher. Akshay Joshi is a non-resident Malayali with his family currently in Vaikom.
