Getting real-time air pollution data in Kochi city remains a challenge for the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as its Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) at Vyttila and Kaloor are non-functional.

The third station at Eloor is functional, though its annual maintenance contract had expired a year ago. The annual contract for operation and maintenance of the CAAQMS, and display systems at Vyttila and Kaloor had expired on October 22, 2023. The renewal agreement was not accepted as the contractor had allegedly quoted a higher rate, according to officials.

A technical committee meeting held on March 4, 2024, had decided to invite fresh tenders for the annual maintenance contract of the CAAQMS at Vyttila and Kaloor, along with similar stations in other districts. The tender notice was published on July 28, 2025, and the last date for submission was August 27, 2025.

However, the board issued a re-tender notice on January 1, 2026 for awarding the comprehensive annual maintenance and contract for the CAAQMS and display systems at four stations that included Vyttila, Kaloor, Eloor and Palayam in Kozhikode.

Officials of the board said that an agency has been shortlisted and discussions are progressing to finalise the terms and conditions for the stations at Vyttila and Kaloor. We plan to complete the proceedings soon and award the contract to the agency. The process of finalising the agreement for operation and maintenance of the CAAQMS at Eloor has also been initiated, they said.

The officials said that manual testing of air pollution levels is being carried out in view of the lack of a continuous real-time monitoring facility. We are carrying out manual testing at areas including Vyttila and Irumpanam, they said.

The station, located at the Stadium Metro station, Kaloor, was previously installed at Seematti, Kacheripady, but had to be switched off on November 19, 2022, for relocation. Both Vyttila and Kaloor stations presently have power connection and power backup facilities.