INDORE: Air pollution in city claims 1,800 lives every year with around 2,500 others ending up being admitted to hospitals. The shocking revelation has come from transport minister Bhupendra Singh while replying to a query from MLA Sudharshan Gupta over increasing air pollution in the commercial hub of the state. And the primary source of air pollution in the city is the increasing number of vehicles every year.
With over 32 lakh population, as per census 2011, Indore has more than 13 lakh registered vehicles running on the city roads out of which nearly 4.5 lakh vehicles are with expired registration numbers. Registration of the vehicles expires after 15 years from the date of registration.
A Madhya Pradesh pollution control board (MPPCB) officials said the ongoing construction activities, increasing traffic and population are the main reasons behind increasing pollution in the city. The level of RSPM (respirable suspended particulate matter) is more than double the normal level here.
With all these, the city is number one in the country with maximum dust particles in air and number four in terms of sulphur dioxide in air. "Pollution has emerged as major cause of concern for the city and many people are getting affected," Gupta said, who has raised question in assembly related to increasing number of vehicles and air pollution in the city.
RSPM constitutes the most critical pollutant, caused by insufficient fuel combustion. These minute particles, not visible to naked eye, settle in the lungs and cause a variety of respiratory ailments. In Indore, RSPM level is much more than prescribed limit of 60.
"The minister has assured the House that soon a drive against vehicles with expired registration will be carried out and such vehicles would not be allowed to run on the road. The government will also take steps to check level of dust particles in the air," Gupta said. Meanwhile, RTO Jitendra Raghuvanshi said action would be taken against drivers who run vehicles 15 years old without re-registration.
Indore pollution index
-- Indore is No. 1 city in the country with maximum suspended particles in air
-- Indore is 4th city in the country with maximum sulphur dioxide in air
-- Indore is 5th most polluted city in the country
-- In Indore 2,500 people get admitted in hospital due to problem related to air pollution
-- In Indore 1,800 die due to air pollution
-- More than 13 lakh registered vehicles on road in Indore
-- Registration of 4.5 lakh vehicle has already expired
