Patna: In the wake of a survey conducted by the World Health Organization in May last year, in which Patna ranked second after Delhi in the list of the most polluted cities, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has finally agreed to implement a rule prohibiting diesel vehicles that have been operational for 15 years or more from plying the roads of the city.
Kumar also said the government was planning to restrict burning of plastic and solid waste.
Despite these initiatives, air pollution in the city is increasing at an alarming rate. Even though Patna does not have any heavy industry, its level of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) is very high. According to the Indira Gandhi Planetarium, the SPM level in the city in April this year was as high as 355 micro-grams per cubic metre, far more than the permissible limit of 100 micro-grams per cubic metre.
Arvind Mallik, an expert in science, said, "Vehicles emit oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, besides un-burnt particles of carbon that we see as the cloud of black smoke coming from the exhaust of cars." These gases and particulates have serious effects on the human body and cause a range of problems like irritation in the eyes to acute cases of asthma.
Students and office-goers, who travel across the city, bear the brunt of air pollution. Harsh Vardhan, a student living in Kankarbagh, said, "I became a victim of sinus (paranasal sinus) when I was 14. The doctors said the root cause of this disease is pollution."
RK Das, a resident of Pataliputra, said, "I take my vehicle once every month for pollution check. Punitive measures should be taken against those don't."
The process of pollution check involves inserting a nozzle into the vehicle's exhaust and checking the composition of the emitted gas. The whole process costs a paltry sum of Rs 50 in service centres across the city.
A graduate from Patna Women's College, Priyanka Priyadarshini, said, "I am compelled to use scarves or a mask and sunglasses while travelling in the city as the air mixed with dust and harmful gases causes irritation, headache and nausea if these precautions are not taken."
Ajay Patel, president of an auto union, said, "The auto drivers usually don't take their vehicle for pollution check and the maintenance is done only when the vehicle stops functioning. Even the government is blind to issue of pollution control."
Sexagenarian Indu Devi, who is an asthma patient, said, "When I lived in the village (Chakia in Motihari district), the ailment was under control. Ever since I moved to Patna for better treatment, the condition is getting worse. I have a problem breathing whenever I go to a place where vehicular traffic is high."
Shailaja Singh, who works in the Reserve Bank of India in Mumbai, said, "The city (Patna) should also opt for CNG like Delhi. It is eco-friendly, cheap, and convenient to use."
