Policy Update
Devyani Ch0udhary
Background
Atmospheric Observations Network (AON) is a continuing scheme launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES) for research and development focusing on the Earth’s Atmosphere and environmental science.With growing climate variability, the need for accurate, localised, and real-time meteorological data has become increasingly critical across various sectors, including agriculture, aviation, disaster management, and urban planning.An advanced model with high-resolution data and reliable observations is the backbone of an accurate forecast.The Atmospheric Observation Network aims to meet this by measuring continuous critical atmospheric parameters through surface stations, upper-air instruments, radars and satellites, within the standards stipulated by WMO(World Meteorological Organization).
AON is not just a technical upgrade; rather, it is a long-term national strategy aimed at lessening the perils of innumerable events of hazards and accentuating climate-resilient development. It works across several plan periods, with technological upgrades taking place one after the other, for up-to-the-mark relevancy with evolving forecasting requirements.This study focuses specifically on the state of Gujarat to examine the ground-level impact of AON initiatives.Gujarat serves as a compelling case due to its extensive industrial base, existing environmental monitoring systems, and the presence of both state and centrally managed air quality infrastructure. With 62 monitoring stations across the state and the deployment of sensor-based Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS) in urban and industrial clusters like Vapi and Gandhinagar, Gujarat provides an ideal setting to assess the progress and limitations of AON’s implementation.
Functioning
Change this line maybe, does not show impact of its functions.The description of their function is plain yet eloquent. These networks go on working without a break and feed a continuous flow of atmospheric data into the system. Such nonstop monitoring is an absolute necessity for most of these basic objectives.
The primary functions of atmospheric services include weather forecasting, which aims to enhance the precision and reliability of meteorological predictions that significantly impact daily life and various sectors; climate monitoring, which involves the systematic observation of long-term atmospheric changes to substantiate evidence of climate change; air quality management, which entails the assessment of atmospheric conditions in terms of pollutant levels, identification of pollution sources, and evaluation of mitigation strategies; and scientific research, which contributes to the development of comprehensive datasets that advance the understanding of complex atmospheric processes.
Performance
The huge increase in the ACROSS budget (Atmospheric and Climate Research – Modelling, Observing Systems, and Services) from ₹353.94 crore in 2023–24 to ₹500 in 2024–25 demonstrates greater investments in air quality monitoring and forecasting infrastructure. However, at the same time, this increase has led to capital expenditure with a push for infrastructure development rather than enhancement in operational coverage or manpower. The Atmospheric Observations Network (AON) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ ACROSS programme, has been making great strides in air quality monitoring and forecasting. In Gujarat, 62 monitoring stations have been tracking ambient air quality with a combination of national and state operations. They remain skewed toward a handful of cities, leaving many industrial towns much to be desired in the way of monitoring.
For instance, the real-time monitoring network established in Gujarat, with its six sensor-based Central Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) stations located in Vapi, Gandhinagar,etc are capable of providing continuous streams of data.Between 2018 and 2021, Gujarat experienced a notable improvement in PM2.5 levels, with over 90% of monitoring stations reporting values within the prescribed safe limits. However, PM10,comprising larger particulate matter remains a concern, with nearly half of the stations still recording concentrations above the acceptable threshold. This provides a strong indication that while finer particles of pollution are controlled, the coarser dust-type pollutants are simply tougher to handle.
Despite this financial commitment under ACROSS, challenges remain in ensuring that the enhanced budgets translate into wider station coverage and full-spectrum pollutant monitoring at the ground level. In Gujarat, where data shows persistent PM10 exceedance and VOC oversight, the impact of these investments has yet to fully materialize. The IMD has lately stepped up its urban meteorological services to 45 cities and plans to extend the improvement to over 130 by 2025. These improvements are not just technical; they are having a real impact.
Despite these gaps, it’s clear that the AON is gradually transforming how we monitor and respond to environmental risks. As seen in the figure. From the year 2011–12 to 2020–21, Gujarat saw a complete disappearance of monitoring stations with PM10 levels within the safe limit of 60 µg/m³. Pollution levels peaked in the year 2018-19, with 27 stations recording extremely hazardous PM10 concentrations above 200 µg/m³. A noticeable improvement occurred in the year 2019-20 and 2020-21, as no station exceeded 150 µg/m³. However, over 50% of stations in 2020-21 still reported PM10 levels above 99 µg/m³, indicating continued poor air quality.
Figure 1:Distribution of Monitoring Stations in Gujarat by PM10 Concentration Range (2011–2021)
Source: Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Performance Audit Report 2022
Note: The chart shows the number of stations falling within each PM10 concentration category (µg/m³), not the actual concentration values.
Emerging Issues
India’s monitoring and management of its air quality have come a long way, especially with the establishment of the Atmospheric Observations Network (AON) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Recent years have seen the network generate more real-time data as well as early warning systems for some extreme events like heat waves and cyclones. Closer inspection, however, particularly in the case of Gujarat, reveals some serious systemic cracks that need attention.
The location of monitoring activities is one of the glaring issues in the system. There are only 14 air quality monitoring stations in Gujarat in different cities, leaving possibly dozens of industrial and big mining areas unchecked. These are the places where pollution levels are often the worst, yet they’re missing from the data. If the network doesn’t cover the most affected areas, then it wont guide meaningful action. People living near industrial clusters like Sanand or Surendranagar rightfully deserve to learn the quality of the air they breathe, just as much as those in big cities.
Then there’s the problem of what we’re monitoring. National standards require that 12 different pollutants be tracked, but in most places—including Gujarat—only four are regularly measured. Dangerous pollutants like benzene, arsenic, and ozone are often ignored, even when data shows some of them, like benzene, are increasing sharply. What’s the point of collecting data if we don’t use it to protect people’s health?
A huge hurdle lies with the discrepancy among the various monitoring systems. Newer sensor-based systems (CAAQMS) often give very different results as compared to those provided by the classic manual method (SAMP), and it is left unclear as to which one should actually be trusted. In the absence of any hard data.
Way Forward
That said, the specific network has still made a real impact. PM2.5 levels have improved in some parts of Gujarat. IMD’s real-time forecasts are helping cities prepare for dust storms, smog events, and even crop-related planning in rural areas. But the bigger promise of AON is yet to be fulfilled. For it to truly serve the public, it needs to expand its reach, measure all the pollutants that matter, and trigger real-time responses—not just record numbers.With a proposed ₹3,649.81 crore allocated to the Ministry of Earth Sciences for 2025–26—including ₹879 crore in capital spending—India has a strong fiscal foundation to upgrade and expand the Atmospheric Observations Network.In the future, these funds ought to be channeled with some thought and premeditation, not just to add more stations but to improve data reliability, staffing, and regional equity in air quality monitoring.
More machines or sensors are not what constitutes the way forward. Treating clean air as a human right and information as power is the way forward. This implies transparency in data, responding with policies to pollution spikes, and making sure rural and industrial communities do not get left out. If this network is strengthened and supported at all levels by the government, local bodies, scientists, and citizens, the Atmospheric Observations Network could become more than an instrument that monitors the current state. It could become the very backbone of India for a cleaner, smarter, and responsive front.
References
Ministry of Earth Sciences. (n.d.). Atmospheric observation network. Government of India. https://www.moes.gov.in/programmes/atmospheric-observation-network?language_content_entity=en
Sustainability Directory. (n.d.). Atmospheric observation networks. https://climate.sustainability-directory.com/term/atmospheric-observation-networks/
India Science, Technology & Innovation. (n.d.). Atmospheric observations network. https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/programme-schemes/research-and-development/atmospheric-observations-network
About the Author: Devyani Choudhary is a research intern at IMPRI and currently pursuing Bsc Economics honors at Symbiosis School of Economics. Her academic and research interests include finance, public policy analysis, and tax law, with a focus on their socioeconomic impacts.
Acknowledgement– The author sincerely thanks Aasthaba Jadeja and other IMPRI fellows for their valuable contribution.
Disclaimer:All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
Justice on Paper: Why Public Policy Still Fails Rural Women
