Bengaluru: Dying lakes and falling trees are not the only two ecological disasters that Bengalureans have to worry about. Pollution figures in Bengaluru shows that there is a steep increase in Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM).
The air quality monitoring centres of the Karnataka Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) have found increased levels of RSPM and some of the centres are recording double the amount of RSPM from previous years. This has raised concerns among pollution experts. The Board officials claim that there are a set of new activities which are increasing pollution in Bengaluru, and if measures are not initiated the city will rival Delhi, which is now considered one of the most polluted urban centres when it comes to air quality.
The increased construction activities and poor handling of debris are increasing the RSPM content in the city’s atmosphere. Increase in the volume of vehicles, emissions and traffic congestion are other, newer reasons why the RSPM meter is going high in the city.
Figures show that the RSPM content shot up to 160 micro gm in the Graphite India (area where the air ambient checking monitor is operational), from 50 micro gm in 2012. Though the average RSPM level in the industrial area has seen 120 micro gm, in 2013 the levels went as high as 160 micro gm. Similarly the other two industrial areas KHB Industrial Area and Peenya Industrial area are also recording higher amounts of RSPM levels in recent months.
Dr Vaman Acharya, the Board’s Chairman, said, “Right now we do not have an alarming situation as far as air quality and noise levels in Bengaluru are concerned. But the statistics show that there is a trend of increase and this must be stopped.’’
