The rising number of vehicles on Bengaluru’s streets is reason for serious concern. It is causing not only traffic jams but also air and noise pollution. Bengaluru, which has a population of over 11.5 million people, is estimated to have over 6.6 million vehicles. This means that for every two people living in the City there is one vehicle. Clearly, this is way too much. Additionally, emissions from these vehicles are polluting the air. Vehicular emissions account for over 43% of all pollutants in Bengaluru. Air pollution is serious in the city and assuming dangerous proportions. Indeed, pollution levels witnessed a 34% increase between 2002 and 2010, the worst among Indian cities. While Delhi has since overtaken Bengaluru in the pollution race, the quality of air in the latter is deteriorating rapidly, severely undermining the health of its residents.

Authorities have taken some steps to address vehicular pollution. For instance, testing a vehicle’s emission level is mandatory every six months. But only a few get this done and rarely do the traffic police act against those who don’t or those whose vehicles violate emission norms. Thus, vehicles continue to spew toxic material into the air. The lackadaisical approach of authorities to this measure was underscored recently when a vehicle of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board was found to be violating emission norms. Indeed, of the 856 vehicles that officials checked recently, 187 were found to be violating norms and 37 of these were government vehicles.

Some are suggesting the introduction of the odd-even scheme in Bengaluru. This could be considered but as an emergency measure only. As experts have pointed out, it is less successful as a long-term measure as people counter it by buying more cars to beat the odd-even restriction. What is needed is not ad hoc and knee-jerk steps but measures that address the problem underlying the need for so many private vehicles. So, the government must improve the quality of mass public transport. A robust mass transport system will do away with the need for people to depend on privately owned cars and motorbikes, as well as cabs. Once the number of private vehicles falls, emissions would reduce too. Such a measure is likely to be fiercely resisted by the automobile industry. Importantly, the government is unlikely to be willing to give up the revenue it earns from vehicle registration, taxes, etc. Given the powerful interests that are ranged against improving public transport, it will require a mass public campaign to push the government to act. Reducing vehicles plying Bengaluru’s streets will have multiple benefits. We need to act on it now.