· Vehicles contribute to almost 60 per cent of air pollution

· Green tax should be imposed on car owners

VISAKHAPATNAM: May 1, apart from being the day for the working class, also coincides with a health hazard. The day is observed to remind that asthma could become the biggest health problem in the coming decades if it is not controlled, as it is directly related to industrialisation and development.

The respiratory ailment is on the rise and the rate is alarming among children in the city, thanks to the steep climb in the pollution levels ."One out of every five children has asthma symptoms and the main catalyst is the environment and it is predominant in industrial areas," says Rajni Mukherjee, consultant paediatrician of Seven Hills Hospital.

Advocate and founder-president of the Society of Intellectual Voice I.M. Ahmed, quoting transport authorities, says the number of vehicles has gone up from 25,000 to over four lakhs within 15 years. Vehicles contribute to almost 60 per cent of air pollution, he adds.

"I have approached everybody, right from the President to the Regional Transport Authorities," he says. Quoting figures, he says RSP (respirable suspended particle material) per cubic metre has gone up from 60 milligrams in 2000 to 90 mg in 2006. Apart from suggesting measures like rationing of petrol, CNG public transport system, removal of old vehicles, better public transport system to suit all classes, suburban train transport and vehicle holiday on the remedial front, he says the authorities should impose green tax on every car owner.

"The amount generated from green tax can be used for tree plantation outside the city limits," Mr. Ahmed points out.