HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội will complete a system of 81 air quality monitoring stations by the end of this year, said director of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyễn Trọng Đông on Wednesday.

The system would contribute to environmental protection and management, as well as the supervision of air quality in the city, said Đông.

At present, the capital city has 11 stations. The remaining 70 will soon be completed.

The department is coordinating with the French Development Agency (AFD) to give more training to workers about the system and air monitoring data management.

A conference on improving air quality in Hà Nội is scheduled to begin in April.

The department said to improve air quality in Hà Nội and conduct environmental protection measures effectively, police and inspectors should improve monitoring and punish any firms transporting construction materials or waste violating environmental regulations.

The Department of Health should cooperate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Information and Communications to give recommendations to residents about health protection measures during days with bad air quality.

Concerned organisations should educate residents on proper disposal of rubbish.

Earlier, the Hà Nội People’s Committee asked the Department of Construction and the Department of Finance to develop a resolution in which stricter punishments would be given to environmental violations. The punishments should follow the committee’s instruction released on January 10 this year.

Director Đông added that air quality in Hà Nội was bad from January 30 to February 3. The reasons were that more vehicles were on the roads after Tết (Lunar New Year) festival and the capital city experienced foggy and wet weather.

Since February 3, light rain has helped improve air quality in Hà Nội. All 11 air monitoring stations showed air quality at a good level, he said. — VNS