Jaipur, Sept. 19 -- A workshop was organised at the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) headquarters in Jaipur with technical experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay on the use of scientific data and atmospheric modelling to assess pollution sources and the likely impact of control measures, using PAVITRA - "an air pollution management and intervention tool for India". Officials were given technical information on identifying sources of air pollution, estimating emissions and scientifically assessing the potential impact of different pollution-control interventions. The workshop also included discussions on the functioning of the PAVITRA tool, data analysis and its practical applications in air quality management, states an official release from RSPCB. Experts explained that PAVITRA is a decision-support platform that can be used to estimate potential reductions in emissions under different policy and pollution-control interventions and assess the resulting changes in ambient PM2.5 concentrations. The platform developed by IIT Bombay and partner institutions can therefore provide a scientific basis for decisions related to air quality management. The experts said PAVITRA could be used for baseline assessments, prioritising interventions under action plans, scenario-based planning and providing technical support during implementation. It can also help compare the relative contribution and impact of different pollution sources and sectors, allowing authorities to identify areas where control measures could be prioritised. During the technical presentations, experts explained various components of the PAVITRA system, including the specialised multi-pollutant emission inventory Smog India, the atmospheric transport and chemistry-based model InMAP-PAVITRA and ISRM-PAVITRA. Smog India provides a detailed, data-driven geographical profile of emissions of different pollutants across the country. This information can be integrated with atmospheric modelling through PAVITRA to assess the likely impact of specific interventions on emissions and air quality. The PAVITRA dashboard was also demonstrated to officials during the workshop. Through the dashboard, participants were shown how potential changes in emissions and PM2.5 concentrations can be assessed if interventions are introduced in sectors such as transport, industry and agriculture, including measures to reduce crop-residue burning and changes in fuel use. The workshop also discussed possible interventions to reduce emissions across different sectors. These included promoting LPG use in households, electrification of homes, reducing crop-residue burning and encouraging small and medium industries to shift towards cleaner fuels and technologies. Participants were also briefed on how emission data can be used to estimate the potential environmental impact of such interventions before their implementation. The approach could enable authorities to examine different scenarios and assess how specific measures may influence overall emissions and PM2.5 concentrations....