Air quality monitoring stations to be established in populous islands

The government will be establishing monitoring stations to assess the air quality of islands with large populations.

An announcement issued by the Environment Ministry last Tuesday said it is seeking a party to carry out a technical assessment to establish the monitoring stations. The project is open for bidding until July 4.

The islands on which the monitoring stations will be established are unknown. It also remains unknown whether an air quality survey was carried out on any island. Air Quality Management Officer at the Environment Ministry, Aiminath Maiha Hameed said no information can be disclosed at this time.

An air quality monitoring station was previously established in capital Male'. However, it has been more than a year since the station's work has been at a halt.

AVAS has learnt that Environment Ministry proposed to establish air quality monitoring stations several times in the past, but could not move forward with the project due to lack of budget.