The Chennai City corporation engaged in a wide publicity campaign to spread awareness on the need to stay away from the burning of garbage and similar items. The campaign was launched by Minister for Environment T P M Mohideen Khan. “Over the years, the [air] pollution levels [during Bhogi] have come down. Last year, the TNPCB’s ambient air quality monitoring system in nine locations showed that on an average there has been a reduction of total suspended particulate matter by 21 per cent as compared to the previous year,”said he. The TNPCB officials said it would conduct a pre and post Bhogi ambient air quality check to ensure minimal environment pollution.