Need to clear the air

The Times of India , Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Correspondent : Rohith B R
Bengaluru: Ten-year-old Tanisha K, a resident of Vijayanagar in West Bengaluru, ends up in hospital every few weeks with breathing difficulties. She developed the problem a couple of years ago after she started school. Doctors traced the ailment to the air she inhales while commuting to school every morning in an autorickshaw.

While Bengaluru was once famous for its gardens, the first things people now say when the city comes up in conversations are 'terrible traffic' and 'very polluted'. A recent study on the impact of air pollution on children has shown that 36% of schoolchildren in Bengaluru have reduced lung capacity. The future looks rather bleak if we fail to curtail the increasing levels of bad air. One study puts Bengaluru second on the list of most polluted cities in India and another shows that 10 of the 13 monitoring centres in the city record respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) levels higher than the national average.

Whichever way you look at it, the news isn't good. Civic leaders to take this up as a priority and tackle depleting air quality.

NLSIU professor M K Ramesh said civic leaders, especially those who will be voted in during the upcoming BBMP polls, should have a long-term vision to tackle air pollution and improve the quality of life for citizens. "In addition to strengthening public transport, we need better roads and seamless, easy connectivity. Licensing of new vehicles needs to be regulated. World cities have restrictions on movement of vehicles on roads, especially private vehicles, and have curbed pollution," he added.

Urban expert Suresh K bats for creating more greenery in the city. "In many places and junctions, growing certain kinds of trees can go a long way in curtailing the impact of pollution. Trees absorb certain kinds of particulate matter," he said.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Steps to cut air pollution immediately

GET CITIZENS INVOLVED: Run awareness campaigns to get motorists to switch off engines at traffic lights and get vehicles serviced regularly, residents to stop burning garbage and report violations

TACKLE CONGESTION: Apart from scientific management and synchronization of traffic signals, there needs be better implementation of one-way lanes for smooth traffic movement. Staggering office timings in coordination with private and public establishments is another option. Institutions should encourage work-from-home culture whenever possible

PHASE-OUT OLD VEHICLES: Future civic leaders should beat the lobby against phasing out old vehicles. National green tribunal has taken civic agencies in New Delhi to task for not implementing its order on phasing out vehicles over 15 years old. Two-stroke engines for two wheelers were phased out in 1999, but many continue to ply. Regular crackdowns by the transport department are needed

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Along with building metro and suburban train lines, the bus network must be strengthened. The complaint pertaining to last mile connectivity needs to be addressed. Lack of incentives for people using public transport keep buses from becoming the best alternative for commuting.

INCENTIVES AND PENALTIES: Governments and private companies should come up with incentives for eco-friendly commuters. Car-pooling, cycling and taking public transport regularly needs recognition. On the other hand, there should be heavy penalties of those contributing to pollution. Parking inside CBD should be made expensive and it's high time we come up with congestion tax.

BUILD VISION AND COMMITMENT: Government agencies have to show commitment for tackling air pollution as well as have a long-term vision. The city needs a three-month action plan to curb air pollution. A few years ago, following a direction from the high court, KSPCB prepared an action plan with measures like restricting the new vehicle registration, creating no auto rickshaw zones, banning aged vehicles and promotion of electric vehicles but these remain on paper.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Need-to-clear-the-air/articleshow/47435485.cms
 


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