State declares war on honking, air pollution

Bangalore Mirror , Saturday, October 11, 2014
Correspondent : Prakruti PK

Move to rein in motor vehicles, which cause 42 per cent of all the air and noise pollution in the city of 45 lakh cars and motorcycles

Tackling the city's most pressing civic issue head-on, the state has, in a drastic measure, more than doubled the fine for noise and air pollution. Incessant honking and driving a polluting vehicle will now set you back by Rs 1,000 the first time and Rs 2,000 after that, thanks to an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, that comes into effect immediately. Earlier, motorcycles were fined Rs 300, cars Rs 600 and heavy vehicles Rs 800. Bangalore has more than 50 lakh vehicles that contribute to 42 per cent of all the air and noise pollution in the city. The rules in question are 115, 119, and 120 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, read with section 190 (2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Bangalore Mirror has accessed a copy of the notification.

The infringements the amendment will cover include using altered, shrill horns, altering the silencer of vehicles, and failing to have an up-to-date emission certificate. Officers of and above the rank of inspector of the motor vehicles department and officers of and above the rank of sub-inspector of police, along with traffic sub-inspectors who are within their respective jurisdiction have been authorised to slap fines on motorists found guilty of committing these violations.

Besides garbage, noise and air pollution have become a menace in the city in recent years. In fact, the state's decision follows random tests done by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board a few months ago to measure the quantity of Nitrous oxide (NOx), a major pollutant of vehicular emission, in the air. While the national permissible level of NOx is 80 mg/cubic metre, residential areas like Indiranagar register an average reading of 140.9 mg/ cubic metre; Jayanagar records 107.5 mg/ cubic metre. The chief minister's home office Krishna has shown NOx levels of 120.5 mg/ cubic metre.

"Increase in the penalty will definitely act as a deterrent," Transport commissioner Rame Gowda told Bangalore Mirror. "The current fines are very low. In the future, people will definitely follow the norms and check their vehicles for emission on regular basis.

Pollution in Bangalore has reached alarming level. Due to heavy emission from the vehicles quality of the air has deteriorated. Pollution levels in residential areas are worse than industrial areas so we had to come up with something drastic. While we have increased the fine amount, the Centre too is going to come up with tougher actions to bring down pollution."

KSPCB chairman Dr. Vaman N Acharya said the existing fines were so low that motorists did not view them with seriousness. "The new fines will make them think twice before driving a polluting vehicle. These fees should specifically be applied to honking to see the change immediately. I welcome the move and feel that the noise and air pollution levels could be effectively checked henceforth."

KEEP REMINDERS, SAY MOTORISTS

Though the 'pollution under control' or emission certificates is mandatory for every motor vehicle, motorists often forget to carry it or renew it.

"It is something we need to renew once every six months," said Yuvakishore B, a software engineer. "There is no reminder mechanism and most people forget it. It is clear that we cannot take it lightly anymore." Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates are mandatory for two reasons:

One, to prove the fitness of a vehicle and two, to ensure the vehicle is non-polluting and that it adheres to the Central Motor Vehicles (CMV) rules. To tackle the sheer volume of vehicles, the government had authorised private individuals to issue PUC certificates. In theory, the certificate is issued by the state government —certificates bear a government hologram — and the system is fully computerised to prevent malpractice. So, the only way right now is to keep a mobile reminder for the PUC expiry date.

HOW AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION AFFECT YOU

Dr Gururaj G, Professor and Head, Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences.

The increased rate of pollution has several physical and psychological implications. Apart from causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems, one cannot ignore the large psychological implications that it can have in the long term. People who travel to work on a motorcycle have to battle the long hours of traffic and reach the work place and these factors could affect productivity. The pent up irritation and anger could lead to stress and affect both personal and professional life. The cases of road rage are higher when noise pollution levels are excessive.

Dr. H Paramesh, pulmonologist and director, Lakeside Medical Hospital "The studies on the ill effects of emission began in 1991 after the increased rate of motorisation. Toxic emission from burning fuel could lead to a range of problems from asthma, pneumonia and cardiac problems. The number of patients suffering from persistent asthma has shot up by 25 per cent in the last few years.

 
SOURCE : http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/cover-story/State-declares-war-on-honking-air-pollution/articleshow/44778346.cms
 


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