Air Pollution Related Disease Diagnostic Centre

March 22, 2005, Bangalore GAIL (India) Limited has associated with SDS tuberculosis and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases Hospital Authorities, Bangalore for setting up an Air Pollution Related Disease Diagnostic Center in Bangalore. Shri Gopinath Swamy, Zonal General Manager, Bangalore Zonal Office, GAIL presented a cheque of Rs. 20 lakhs to Dr. Rajeshwari, Principal, SDS tuberculosis Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases , Bangalore. Dr. Shashidhar Buggi, Medical Superintendent of the Institute was present. Senior officials of GAIL and district administration of Bangalore were also present on the occasion.

To combat the pollution, GAIL (India) Limited, a public sector undertaking under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is set to supply natural gas in 22 cities under Blue Sky Project in Agra, Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Pune, Sholapur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Vijaywada, Gwalior, Indore, Jhansi, Barielly, Delhi, Ujjain, Mumbai, Kota, Kolkata, Rajhamundry, Chennai and Bangalore. Air pollution is set to be reduced on supply of CNG to transport sector and piped natural gas for domestic and commercial usage in these cities

Looking into the health hazards by the vehicular emission and the pollution by several other means, GAIL has come up to start air pollution related diseases diagnostic centres in these 22 cities which will be self contained units with modern diagnostic amenities and medical personnel. These centres will be sponsored by GAIL in partnership with reputed hospitals / institutions in health care activities. This is a new concept in the area of health care to provide diagnostic facilities and treatment to the poorer section of the society and will facilitate baseline investigations for the diagnosis. This APRDC would work as R & D for the development of facilities for diagnosing suspended particles, which are known to cause various heart diseases and the levels of these particles are at alarming level in the environment.

This APRDC at Bangalore will be of immense help and benefit to the people of the region, which will provide diagnostic facilities and treatment to the poorer section of the society.

The APRDCs are being set up as a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of the company. GAIL believes in being a company with a heart, ‘Hriday’ (GAIL’s CSR Initiative). With an effective corporate social responsibility policy in place, the company realizes the value of helping communities. Today, GAIL’s corporate social responsibilities have stretched to the far corners of the country. The company’s commitment towards operating its core business in a socially responsible way is complemented by an investment in communities, thus creating a positive impact on society and the environment. GAIL’s Community Initiatives include Environment Protection and Horticulture, Infrastructure, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Healthcare and Medical facilities, Community Development, Educational Aids and Literacy Enhancement