Deccan Herald 02.01.2014
KSPCB asks Palike to clean pavements
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
(KSPCB) has written to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to
clean the pavements and construct better roads to check air pollution
levels in the City.
According to KSPCB officials, dust
is the second major contributor to air pollution that constitutes 20 per
cent of the total pollution, after vehicles.
“Unlike rural dust
which comprises mostly soil, Bangalore dust comprises elements like
silica, aluminium, iron, sulphate and most importantly, lead. The lead
content in the dust, if not checked everyday, will turn hazardous,” says
B Nagappa, scientific officer, KSPCB.
In the letter, KSPCB has suggested the BBMP to bring down the road dust by constructing better roads, proper maintenence of roads, wall-to-wall paving and regular sweeping.
Substantial increase
KSPCB has been monitoring the ambient air quality of
the City for the last one year. It has found that there has been a
substantial increase in the ambient air quality levels at 12 locations
in the City.
The study initiated under the National Ambient Air
Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), covers industrial and mixed-urban
areas. According to the study, vehicles are the first major cause for
air pollution, which contributes up to 42 per cent. Industries in the
City contribute 14 per cent to the pollution, followed by the diesel
generator sets.
KSPCB had written to various departments to
participate in a meeting so that action plans can be implemented to
bring down the levels of pollution. The Board has also written to the
Transport department to regulate vehicular movement in the City by
strengthening the public transport system.
The study has revealed
that the Respiratory Suspended Particulate Material (RSPM) values have
increased in various parts of the City and this could be due to
construction works and infrastructure projects like BMRCL’s Namma Metro.
