This indicator along with 15.2 and 15.3 denotes the acceptable levels of air pollutants in the city. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2 ) is considered one of the critical urban air pollutants, monitored on a regular basis by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through a nation-wide programme for ambient air quality monitoring known as National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). High levels of SO2 can potentially affect the health of citizens, particularly those suffering from asthma and chronic lung diseases, and exacerbate respiratory symptoms. The standards for acceptable level of air pollutants (including SO2 ) have been prescribed as part of the National Air Quality Standards (2009) by the CPCB.

• The standards for acceptable level of air pollutants (including SO2) have been prescribed as part of the National Air Quality Standards (2009) by the CPCB.
• As per the guidelines, annual mean concentration range (μg/m3) of SO2 is calculated as an annual arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurements in a year taken twice a week.
• Air samples should be tested at various points in the city. Measurements may be carried out as per the guidelines for manual sampling and analysis provided by the CPCB (Guidelines for the Measurement of Ambient Air Pollutants Volume-I, 2011). Guidelines on choosing monitoring locations is also given by CPCB (Guidelines for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring, 2003).
• Previous data collected by CPCB or respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) during the same year can be used to additionally obtain information for different times of the year.

This indicator along with 15.1 and 15.3 denotes the acceptable levels of air pollutants in the city. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ) is considered one of the critical urban air pollutants, monitored on a regular basis by the CPCB through a nation-wide programme for ambient air quality monitoring known as National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). Continued and frequent exposure to high levels of NO2 can cause irritation of lungs and acute respiratory illnesses. The standards for acceptable level of air pollutants (including NO2 ) have been prescribed as part of the National Air Quality Standards (2009) by the CPCB.

• The standards for acceptable level of air pollutants (including NO2) have been prescribed as part of the National Air Quality Standards (2009) by the CPCB.
• As per the guidelines, annual mean concentration range (μg/m3) of NO2 is calculated as an annual arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurements in a year taken twice a week.
• Air samples should be tested at various points in the city. Measurements may be carried out as per the guidelines for manual sampling and analysis provided by the CPCB (Guidelines for the Measurement of Ambient Air Pollutants Volume-I, 2011). Guidelines on choosing monitoring locations is also given by CPCB (Guidelines for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring, 2003).
• Previous data collected by CPCB or respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) during the same year can be used to additionally obtain information for different times of the year.

This indicator along with 15.1 and 15.2 denotes the acceptable levels of air pollutants in the city. Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (size less than 10μm) or PM10 is considered one of the critical urban air pollutants, monitored on a regular basis by the CPCB through a nationwide programme for ambient air quality monitoring known as National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP). Exposure to high levels of PM10 can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The standards for acceptable level of air pollutants (including PM10 ) have been prescribed as part of the National Air Quality Standards (2009) by the CPCB.

• The standards for acceptable level of air pollutants (including PM10) have been prescribed as part of the National Air Quality Standards (2009) by the CPCB.
• As per the guidelines, annual mean concentration range (μg/m3) of PM10 is calculated as an annual arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurements in a year taken twice a week.
• Air samples should be tested at various points in the city. Measurements may be carried out as per the guidelines for manual sampling and analysis provided by the CPCB (Guidelines for the Measurement of Ambient Air Pollutants Volume-I, 2011). Guidelines on choosing monitoring locations is also given by CPCB (Guidelines for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring, 2003).
• Previous data collected by CPCB or respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) during the same year can be used to additionally obtain information for different times of the year.

This denotes the level of noise pollution in a city. Prolonged exposure to ambient noise from industrial activity, construction, vehicles, loud speakers, generator sets etc. can have negative health effects on citizens, in addition to causing annoyance and sleep deprivation. Cities can implement various measures to regulate noise pollution as per the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. The rules also provide benchmarks for acceptable noise levels in industrial, commercial, residential and sensitive (silence) zones such as hospitals, nursing homes, educational institutions and courts.

• Sound samples should be tested at various points in the city and at different times of the day.
• The procedure for monitoring of noise levels is given by CPCB (Protocol for Ambient Level Noise Monitoring, 2015). Measurements should be conducted in various categories of areas (industrial/ commercial, residential and sensitive areas), both during day and night.
• Where cities have installed sensors for mapping noise levels at various public places, light poles etc., such data can be obtained to enable taking an average value over a longer period. Such data will be available from the ULB department, or operator responsible for data management and reporting.

This denotes the quality of water in public surface water bodies such as rivers, lakes and ponds in the city, which is critical for maintaining the health of the overall water ecology associated with these surface water bodies. The CPCB has classified water bodies into 5 categories based on the designated best use of the water bodies and prescribed water quality standards in terms of chemical requirements for each of the categories (Guidelines for Water Quality Management, 2008).

• The CPCB has classified water bodies into 5 categories based on the designated best use of the water bodies and prescribed water quality standards in terms of chemical requirements for each of the categories (Guidelines for Water Quality Management, 2008).
• An inventory of surface water bodies in the city should be developed with the assistance of a base map, in discussion with ULB/ Planning Authority
• Water samples from the various water bodies should be tested as per the Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring, 2007 developed by the CPCB
• Previous data collected by CPCB or respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) during the same year can be used to additionally obtain information for different times of the year.