Poisoned air smothering Bengaluru

Is the Garden City going the way of Beijing and Delhi as far as air pollution is concerned? A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment has put Bengaluru on red alert as it has become one of the most polluted cities in South India. Adopting modern technology and green initiatives are the way forward to curb growing pollution levels, say experts.

The Center for Science and Environment (CEC) report on the deteriorating air quality of the city has clearly indicated that if city residents and concerned agencies do not act immediately, it will definitely become another Beijing and Delhi!

CSE report has put down Bengaluru as the most polluted city of South India and revealed that it in most parts of the city, the pollution level is above the national average. As expected, the study has pointed out clearly that it is the diesel vehicles (42%) which are is the main culprit.

Experts and environmentalists are of a consensus in their opinion that motorized vehicles are the main culprit in the city, causing high pollution levels. According to the report, as of now, there are approximately 58 lakh vehicles in Bengaluru; this is the 2nd highest after Delhi. For every 2 people, there is 1 vehicle (1:2 ratio). There are almost 1,25,000 trips every day, of which 45% are using public transport. 50 lakh people travel using BMTC while 7-8 lakhs travel using autos.

Read | ‘Government agencies, citizens must work together, find solutions’

More than 1,300 vehicles are registered every day, two-wheelers and cars are 90% of the total registered vehicles. About 120 lakh individual trips by mechanical modes are estimated to be generated in 2025 in Bengaluru. The present modal split of 54% in favour of public transport is estimated to fall to 49% by 2025, says CSE analysis.

According to Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director, CSE compared to the CNG fueled buses, the omission level is more among the diesel is higher. “Even if the EURO VI standard buses were also introduced, the emission level would be severalfold more in those buses compared to the CNG buses. “Conversion of the diesel buses into CNG buses is one of the solutions and it should be done at the earliest,” she said.

According to Ms. Chowdhury, even though air pollution level in Bengaluru has not touched the Delhi level, this level enough is to cause health risks to residents.

CNG buses in city soon

Speaking to this newspaper, an officer from the state transport department informed that all the autos in the city were either converted into LPG fueled or four stroke engines. “Two stroke engine autos were causing more air and noise pollution. So these autos are totally banned. With autos now running on LPG, they are not causing much pollution. Diesel autos are totally banned,” he explained.

According to sources at the BMTC, it has already initiated the process of procuring the CNG-fueled buses. “There is a proposal to acquire 271 CNG buses to the BMTC. But the issue is with the capital expenditure. Compared to diesel buses, CNG buses are costly,” said an officer in condition of anonymity.

Nimhans junction most polluted

• Areas with highest air pollution: Nimhans campus near Koramangala and Vanivilas Hospital complex near KR Market
• Areas with least air pollution: TERI complex in Domlur and Basaveshwarnagar
• Pedestrians and cyclists are the worst victims of air pollution
• Silt in storm water drains cause 20% of air pollution in the city
• In most parts of the city, pollution is 3 to 12 times higher than the prescribed limits
• CSE monitored spots around hospitals (Fortis, Manipal Hospital), schools (Bishop Cotton boys and girls), industrial area (Peenya), Electronic City and residential areas

‘Mass transport, modern technology is the answer’

Civic agencies like transport department, BBMP and BWSSB have been significantly contributing to air pollution across the city as these departments have failed to adopt modern technology in curbing the discharge of pollutants. The way forward is adopting modern technology and advocating mass transportation.

Environmentalist Suresh Heblikar suggests that planning should be done collectively or in an inclusive manner rather than in isolation. Overall planning, financial planning, physical progress and enforcement should all be strategised by forming a committee involving heads of different departments. It is essential on the part of these departments to follow modern and scientific methods to arrest pollutants, he added.

For instance, when it comes to the transport department, mass rapid transportation should be promoted and the entry of pollution-causing vehicles must be restricted at the central business district which is already congested and polluted.

These pollution-causing vehicles should be subjected to periodic emission tests to adhere to emission norms. Extensive use of solar and battery powered vehicles are some of the short term measures to bring down the pollution level.

As a long term measure, large companies must be shifted out of Bengaluru by creating green buffer zones to avoid pollution, he suggested. BBMP and BWSSB are collectively responsible for causing air pollution due to indiscriminate dumping of garbage and non-treating of effluents in the lake.

For instance, beautiful, serene Bellandur lake has been turned into a lake of toxins. The cascading lake path from Madivala up to Bellandur and Varthur should be identified. Sewage Treatment Plants must be set up to treat the sewerage water to arrest polluted water getting into the lake, added Mr. Heblikar.

BBMP is a major culprit, he said. BBMP over the years has miserably failed in processing the municipal solid waste that is generated to a turn of 4,200 metric tonnes per day. Already, the fertile land and environment at Mandur and Mavallipura have been spoilt due to the indiscriminate dumping and lack of application of mind in processing the wake. Modern techniques are the way forward, he said.

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