Environment report highlights alarming air pollution level in city

The Indian Express , Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Correspondent :
The rising number of vehicles in the city and deterioration of air quality is fast becoming a cause of concern.

These have been highlighted in the State of Environment Report of Chandigarh, 2012, prepared by the ENVIS Centre under Department of Environment, UT Administration. The land use pattern of the city has been studied and several recommendations made.

The report was released Tuesday by UT Adviser K K Sharma on the eve of World Environment Day. This report is published every four years. The SoER-2012 has been prepared by collection and compilation of data from various departments.

The report has recommended that strict drives be held against encroachments. It talks of deterioration in air quality with increase in RSPM (Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter) levels. The permissible limit of RSPM is 60 microgram per cubic metre (mpcm). However, it was found to be 137 mpcm in Industrial Area, 103 mpcm at Kaimbwala, 91 mpcm at PEC, 90 mpcm at IMTECH and 87 mpcm in Sector 17. Similar was the case in 2010 when the RSPM was found to be 122 mpcm, 83 mpcm, 77 mpcm, 95 mpcm and 86 mpcm respectively at these places.

The level of RSPM and SPM was much higher between 2004 and 2006. A decline was witnessed in the later years. However, for the last two years, the pollution level is again on the rise. In some areas, there is lead concentration due to the presence of industry.

On an average, 120 vehicles are registered in the city everyday and the vehicular population is more than 8 lakh. The floating population of vehicles is around 1 lakh.

Chandigarh has the highest per capita vehicle density in the country. Chandigarh has 4.4 lakh vehicles per 1,000 kilometres, which is almost twice as much as Delhi, where the number is 2.4 lakh. The city has 878 vehicles per 1,000 persons as compared to Delhi, where the number is 362. It has been suggested that vehicles should meet the prescribed norms. The increasing vehicles are also causing shortage of parking spaces.

About the water supply in the city, the report states that 90 per cent city residents are getting treated water. But there is still a gap in covering 100 per cent residents. The long-term water requirement has also been discussed.

The report states that urban forestry needs more attention. The dead and diseased trees should be replaced by healthy saplings. Every abandoned and vacant space should be utilized for afforestation and improvement in green cover.

It has further been stated that Chandigarh is all set to become a modal solar city with commissioning of several solar projects in 2012, comprising non-conventional energy and alternative usage and installation of solar street lights.

The report suggests that alternative fuels like CNG be used in the city to reduce pollution levels. Easing traffic congestion and the problem of parking is another area that requires attention. Promotion of mass rapid transport system like the Metro has also been recommended.

 
SOURCE : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/environment-report-highlights-alarming-air-pollution-level-in-city/1125159/0
 


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