BENGALURU: Respirable Suspended Particulate Matters (RSPM) level in Bengaluru city is more than the national average, making it one of the most air-polluted cities in the country.
As per the findings of a survey on air quality in Bengaluru in 2014, RSPM level is 12 to 283 per cent more in the city than the national average of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. However, the quantum of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) are well below the national average of 50 mg/cm and 40 mg/cm respectively.
Informing this in the Assembly on Monday, Forest and Environment Minister Ramanath Rai said the air quality of the IT city was being monitored by 15 stations. While two centres monitor the air quality round-the-clock, the remaining stations monitor twice a week.
White Field Industrial Area has maximum level of RSPM (230 mg/cm) followed by Amco Batteries, Mysore Road (209 mg/cm), Central Silk Board (189 mg/cm) and DTDC House, Victoria Road (162 mg/cm). Only two areas Teri, Dommaluru and Nisarga Bhavan, Sanegoravanahalli, have less RSPM than the national average.
Rai attributed higher levels of RSPM to increasing vehicular traffic and construction activities, adding that several measures have been initiated by the department and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to control air pollution.
