Bengaluru: Road dust causes most pollution

  • | Monday | 13th August, 2018

Bengaluru recorded 7-18 units of air pollution due to increased use of DG sets, compared to Chennai (14-16) and Delhi (7-12). Interestingly, Delhi, which reported dangerous levels of pollution in 2017, has only 15-17 units of vehicular pollution and 14-29 roadside dust. Chennai and Pune have not submitted data in the industry-driven category, while Delhi recorded 6-9 units and Mumbai 1-7 units. They don’t bother to get KSPCB approval, thereby allowing highly polluting industries into Bengaluru Urban district. “People use power for day-to-day activities, and during power cuts, use DG sets which increase pollution levels,” said Reddy.The two other pollution triggers are roadside dust (45-55 units) and vehicles (10-22).

BENGALURU: Latest data by the Central Pollution Control Board ( CPCB ) says Bengaluru tops the list of six major polluting cities in the country.The source apportionment study is primarily based on measurements and tracking down of sources through receptor modelling (statistical analysis), and helps in identifying the sources of pollution and the extent of their contribution. The study on Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kanpur, Mumbai and Pune was commissioned by CPCB and placed before the Lok Sabha on August 10.Bengaluru recorded a 27-unit spike in pollution caused by industries, when compared to Kanpur, which is known for its leather and shoe industries. Kanpur recorded 2-19 units of pollution levels . Chennai and Pune have not submitted data in the industry-driven category, while Delhi recorded 6-9 units and Mumbai 1-7 units. Even as KSPCB was unsure of the numbers, environmentalist Yellappa Reddy pointed out that permission for most of these industries is given at the gram panchayat level. “A gram panchayat member or chairman may not have an idea whether the industry being sanctioned belongs to ‘red category’ (highest polluting) or ‘yellow category’ (medium polluting). They don’t bother to get KSPCB approval, thereby allowing highly polluting industries into Bengaluru Urban district. We’ve come across several illegal small-scale industries operating within the city limits,” said Reddy.Rapid urbanisation has led to a spike in the number of diesel generator (DG) sets, a pre-requisite for backup power in highrise buildings. Bengaluru recorded 7-18 units of air pollution due to increased use of DG sets, compared to Chennai (14-16) and Delhi (7-12). There’s no data on pollution caused by DG sets in Mumbai. Experts say DG sets for commercial, industrial, healthcare or domestic purposes have become inevitable, due to frequent power cuts. “People use power for day-to-day activities, and during power cuts, use DG sets which increase pollution levels,” said Reddy.The two other pollution triggers are roadside dust (45-55 units) and vehicles (10-22). Interestingly, Delhi, which reported dangerous levels of pollution in 2017, has only 15-17 units of vehicular pollution and 14-29 roadside dust. Activist Abdulla A Rehman said road dust has become a major source of pollution due to frequent digging of roads by civic agencies, which instal utility ducts and leave them untarred for a long time.

If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

NYOOOZ FRIEND

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.


Stay updated with all the Kanpur Live News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.

Related Articles