# Kochi's air pollution monitors offline for three years

> Real-time monitoring stations in Vyttila and Kaloor have been non-functional since 2023 as the Kerala State Pollution Control Board struggles to renew maintenance contracts.
- Title: Kochi's air pollution monitors offline for three years
- Summary: Real-time monitoring stations in Vyttila and Kaloor have been non-functional since 2023 as the Kerala State Pollution Control Board struggles to renew…
- Keywords: kerala state pollution control board, kochi, air quality monitoring, vyttila, kaloor, eloor, environmental monitoring, news, politics, Kochi's, air, pollution
- Source: The Hindu — https://thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/real-time-air-pollution-monitoring-stations-in-keralams-vyttila-and-kaloor-non-functional/article71606493.ece
- Author: G. Krishnakumar
- Published: 2026-10-21T06:49:08+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kerala state pollution control board, kochi, air quality monitoring, vyttila, kaloor, eloor, environmental monitoring, news, politics
## Two monitors down in Kochi
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board's Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations at Vyttila and Kaloor are non-functional, leaving Kochi without real-time air pollution data.
## Contracts expired in October 2023
The annual maintenance contracts for the Vyttila and Kaloor stations expired on October twenty-two, twenty twenty-three. The contractor quoted a higher rate for renewal, which officials rejected.
## Tender process delayed repeatedly
A technical committee decided in March twenty twenty-four to invite fresh tenders. The tender notice was published July twenty-eight, twenty twenty-five, with submission deadline August twenty-seven, twenty twenty-five.
## Re-tender issued in January 2026
The board issued a re-tender notice on January one, twenty twenty-six for comprehensive maintenance of four stations: Vyttila, Kaloor, Eloor and Palayam in Kozhikode.
## Third station functional but aging
The Eloor station remains functional, though its annual maintenance contract expired a year ago. Both Vyttila and Kaloor have power connections and backup facilities in place.
## Manual testing fills the gap
Officials said manual testing of air pollution levels is being carried out at areas including Vyttila and Irumpanam. An agency has been shortlisted and discussions are progressing to finalise contract terms.

> manual testing of air pollution levels is being carried out
## Key takeaway

Two of Kochi's three air quality monitoring stations have been offline since October twenty twenty-three due to expired maintenance contracts and tender delays, leaving the city without real-time pollution data.