Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said Thursday the government would enforce the ban on old outdated vehicles not adhering to non-pollution norms. He also assured to bring a slew of measures, including tackling the air pollution caused by disposal of hospital waster, dumping ground and traffic congestion in Mumbai.

The concerns over growing air pollution that has posed health hazard were raised in the Legislative Assembly by Atul Bhatkhalkar of the BJP. He said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the initiative leading to installation of Air Quality Index. However, non-functioning of apparatus needs to be addressed effectively.”

Another BJP MLA Ashish Shelar expressed concern over the steep increase in vehicular traffic with 3.69 lakh new cars hitting the road in one year. The component of outdated vehicles that lead to massive pollution had gone unchecked, he pointed out.

Kadam said, “It is a fact that air pollution level is alarming in Mumbai. We need to reinforce strict checking of vehicles.”

BJP MLA Manisha Chaudhury said, “The emission of methane from the Gorai dumping ground has caused major lung infections to people living in the vicinity.”

Acknowledging that air in Bandra (East) was among the most polluted, the minister said, “When vehicles from all three routes converge at one point, it takes time for its clearance causing major pollution. We will have to deploy additional traffic police to ensure quick movement of traffic.”