How technology can help curb pollution

Using satellites, all units that emit fumes can be imaged at different wavelengths. Algorithms can analyse the data and red-flag potentially polluting entities

Increasingly, new technologies are making it easier and cheaper to monitor the environment, in India and globally. What is missing in India however, is the ability to pinpoint the specific sources of pollution and in real-time. Consequently, it becomes extremely difficult to enforce laws on polluters, or to bring to task those in the government not enforcing the laws.

A comprehensive monitoring mechanism suggested here is technologically possible, financially feasible, and possible to scale quickly. North India’s air pollution is a case in point. India has been monitoring air pollution for many years now, with little effect on pollution levels across