PPCB Organizes Workshop on ‘A Step Towards Cleaner Air in Patiala City’ under NCAP

Patiala, 28 March:

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Regional Office, Patiala, in collaboration with the District Administration and Municipal Corporation, Patiala, organized a workshop on March 28, 2025, at Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (TIET), Patiala, under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on the theme ‘A Step Towards Cleaner Air in Patiala City’. The objective of the event was to bring together key stakeholders including representatives from government departments, industry associations, academic institutions, researchers, and students to deliberate on sustainable solutions for improving air quality in Patiala.

The program commenced with the inauguration by Dr. Gurbinder Singh, Registrar, TIET and Member of PPCB Board, followed by a welcome address from Er. Gurkaran Singh, Environmental Engineer, who briefed the participants on the objectives of NCAP and shared insights from the source apportionment study of Patiala City. The workshop featured a series of expert talks covering diverse aspects of air pollution such as its adverse health effects, sustainable industrial practices, increasing green cover, and the adoption of innovative technologies to improve air quality.

Dr. Vishal Chopra, Professor and Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Government Medical College, Patiala, discussed the serious health implications of air pollution, while Dr. Ashutosh Kumar, Associate Professor at TIET, explained sustainable strategies to reduce pollution. Sh. Guramanpreet Singh, Divisional Forest Officer, Patiala, emphasized the significance of afforestation, advanced plantation technologies, and strategies for controlling both indoor and outdoor air pollution. Sh. Harinder Lamba, President of the Focal Point Association, Patiala, highlighted the proactive role that industries must play in achieving a cleaner Patiala. In addition, Sh. Amandeep Singh and Ms. Shelly Tiwari, Ph.D. Scholars, shared innovative technological solutions for addressing air pollution, and Mr. Paramjit Singh Aggarwal, a motivational speaker, shared his perspective on how collective human efforts are vital for air quality improvement.

A special presentation on ‘A Step Towards Cleaner Air in Patiala City’ was delivered by Sh. Muktesh Chaudhari, Consultant, NCAP, who emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among the Municipal Corporation, District Administration, and PPCB for effective air quality management. The event concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Gurbinder Singh, reaffirming the commitment of all stakeholders to work towards a cleaner and healthier Patiala. The workshop witnessed active participation from students of TIET, Punjabi University Patiala, and Chitkara University, Rajpura. The event was successfully coordinated by Er. Mohit Bisht, Er. Mohit Singla, Er. Dharamveer Singh, Er. Akanksha Bansal, Sh. Rajinder Singh, Er. Vinod Singla, and staff of the PPCB Regional Office, Patiala.