Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) shows. The average annual Repairable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) levels in Bengaluru are over 200 per cent higher than the national air quality standards prescribed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The annual average value analysis of air pollutants from April 2014 to March 2015 shows that RSPM levels at 14 locations in Bengaluru were beyond permissible levels—the highest being at Whitefield, Mysuru Road and the Central Silk Board junction. Only sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were under the prescribed levels of 50 ug/M3 and 40 ug/M3 respectively across Bengaluru.

The KSPCB assessed the RSPM levels at Graphite India in Whitefield, KHB Industrial Area in Yelahanka, Peenya Industrial Area (Gymkhana), Peenya Industrial Area (RO), Yeshwantpur police station, AMCO Batteries on Mysuru Road, Central Silk Board junction on Hosur Road, DTDC Office on Victoria Road, Teri Office in Domlur, Banaswadi police station, KajiSonnenahalli, CAAQMS at City railway station, Victoria Hospital and Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health (Nimhans).

RSPM levels

The analysis showed that RSPM level at Graphite India was 230 ug/M3 which is 283 per cent higher than normal level of 60 ug/M3. At Yelahanka, it was 121 ug/M3 (101.6 pc higher), Peenya Industrial Area (RO) 144 ug/M3 (140 pc higher), Gymkhana 119 ug/M3 (98 pc higher), Yeshwantpur police station 129 ug/M3 (115 pc higher), Mysuru Road 209 ug/M3 (248.3 pc higher), Central Silk Board 189 ug/M3 (215 pc higher), Victoria Road 162 ug/M3 (170 pc higher), Domlur 58 ug/M3 (within permissible limits), near Banaswadi police station 84 ug/M3 (40 pc higher), KajiSonnenahalli 69 ug/M3 (15 pc higher), City railway station 67 ug/M3 (11.6 pc higher), near Victoria Hospital 154 ug/M3 (156.6 pc higher) and near Nimhans 125 ug/M3 (108.3 pc higher).

KSPCB officials admit there has been an increase of 15-50 per cent in air pollution every year depending upon the area. This is because of increase in uncontrolled construction activity and vehicular population. Road conditions have deteriorated too—potholes and dump add to the dust and air pollution levels.

Silk Board Jn worst hit

The Central Silk Board junction has the worst average of passenger cars per unit (PCU) per hour at 10,000, according to traffic expert M N Srihari. That’s because of bad traffic management and a large number of vehicles piling up. In Whitefield, the PCU is normally around 6,000, but has come down to 3,000 in the last one month because the Graphite India Road has been made one-way.

In case of Mysuru Road, the PCU is 8,000. Traffic has further slowed down because of the ongoing underground drainage work near the GaliAnjaneya Temple.