A perceived lacunae in addressing the increasing air pollution and rapid growth of Bangalore has spurred the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) to join hands with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to mathematically model the pollution levels in the City.
Announcing this at a press conference in Bangalore on Wednesday, Dr T S Panwar, Senior Fellow, TERI, said that the multi-grid 3-D urban air quality model will study multiple air quality issues like fine particles, ozone and acid deposition and is equipped with multi-scale capabilities to assess regional contribution to urban air pollution. “The project, the first of its kind in the country, will address a serious gap in modelling studies in India,” he said.
The three-year study would involve literature survey, training on use of models, data compilation, model simulations and dissemination of information at a workshop and will get its funding of Rs 70 lakh from TMC and technical expertise, models and training from Toyota Central R&D Labs. The findings of the study are expected to be submitted to government agencies both at the State and Central levels.
As regards similar studies undertaken by the Indian Institute of Science and Karnataka Pollution Control Board, Dr Panwar said the data collected by these studies would be used to validate the current model. While stating that everybody must be taken into the fold to address the problem of pollution, Dr R K Pachauri, Director-General, TERI said “one cannot dump all problems at the government’s doorstep. Companies have as much stake as any one of us in tackling pollution,” he said.
WHY BANGALORE?
*One of the fastest growing metropolitan cities
*Limited effort to address increasing air pollution
* High scope for intervention to control pollution
* SPM and RSPM concentrations are exceeding the ambient air quality standards for residential areas
