Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has requested the Secretary, Department of Environment and Ecology to direct the Transport Department to ban the movement of diesel and petrol vehicles that are more than 15 years old. The KSPCB also recommended for the ban on two-stroke vehicles within Bengaluru city since these vehicles contribute a lot to pollute the ambient of air in Bengaluru city.
The KSPCB, in association with Transport and Road Safety Department, Traffic Police and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), has conducted a sample survey on vehicular emission to know the impact of vehicular emission on the ambient air quality in Bengaluru city. The survey was conducted between June 21 and 28 and on July 4, 5, 8, 12 and 18.
The total number of petrol and diesel driven vehicle checked is 1978, out of which petrol vehicles are 1279, and diesel vehicle are 524. The sample monitored data revels that among 1,279 number of petrol driven vehicles tested, out of which 1118 vehicles (87.5 %) are within the national limit and 161 vehicles (12.6 %) are exceeded the national limit. The monitored data reveals that among 524 number of diesel driven vehicles tested, out of which 334 vehicles (63.7 %) are within the national limit and 190 vehicles (36.3 %) are exceeded the national limit.
The KSPCB is carrying out the ambient air quality at selected 12 locations, including two continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations in Bengaluru city. As per the annual average data of air pollutants, SO2 and NO2 have not exceeded the national ambient air quality standards 50 µg/M3 and 40 µg/M3 respectively. PM10 values have exceeded national limit 60.0 µg/M3 level in all 12 locations in the range of 20 per cent to 215 per cent.
As per the TERI report on Source Apportionment Study, total particulate matter (less than 10 micron size) generated in Bengaluru city is 54.4 MT/day. Out of which, the contribution from transport sector is 42%, road dust contribution is 20 %, domestic sector is 3%, diesel generator set 7% and 14% each from industries and construction sector.
The sampling data from the Joint Monitoring Programme of Vehicular Emission reveals that 524 diesel vehicles, including cars, trucks and buses tested, 36.3 per cent exceeded the national limit while 12.5 per cent of the petrol vehicles tested were found to be polluting above the norms.
Reasons for Air Pollution from Automobiles in Bengaluru are as under:
• Increase of population in Bengaluru city i.e. total population 95, 88,910, increase in number of vehicles (total registered vehicles 67,64,111 in Bengaluru as on March 31, 2016).
• Absence of effective, efficient and well networked transport system in Bengaluru.
• Bad road conditions such as potholes and road cutting and curb side dust.
• Adulteration of fuel.
• Continuation of 15 years old vehicles and two stroke two wheelers and auto-rickshaws.
• Encroachment of footpaths.
The KSPCB has issued the directions (vide letter No 163, dated 25.8.2014) to the BBMP, the Dept of Transport and Road Safety, the BDA and the traffic police under the Air Act 1981 and further directed these departments to take action on the following:
• Ban the entry of Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) into city limit during peak hours.
• Ban the use of two stroke vehicles within BBMP area.
• Ban auto rickshaws in central business district.
• Ban use of more than 15 years old HMVs.
• Impose heavy fine on polluting vehicles.
• Plan for traffic regulation.
• Fill potholes and road cutting.
• Remove encroachments of footpaths.
• Introduce dedicated bus lanes.
• Identify pedestrian density roads and provide safe crossing, skywalks and under passes.
• Enhance the vermicular monitoring for emission.
