2,000 per cent rise in number of vehicles since 1975

KOCHI: Vehicular emission and noise pollution from automobiles are high in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode cities, according to a report.

Vehicles and industries are mainly responsible for the deterioration of air quality in the State as both create noise and emit air pollutants, said a report published by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.

The impact of vehicular emission and noise is widespread whereas the industrial emission is limited to the areas around the industries. Though advanced manufacturing techniques have considerably reduced the noise and emission from automobiles and cleaner production process the emission from industries, the benefits are offset by the rapid increase in number of vehicles and industries, said the State of Environment Report Kerala 2005, brought out by the Council.

The ever-increasing use of fossil fuel in transportation and industrial sectors are adversely affecting the air quality and increasing the ambient noise.

It is estimated that there are 25 lakh licensed vehicles on Kerala roads whereas the length of the carriage way is 21,347 km. Kerala recorded an astonishing increase of 2,000 per cent in the number of vehicles during the 1975-2002 period.

The number of vehicles on Kerala roads rose to 23,15,372 in 2002 from the 1,19,720 of 1975. At the same time, the rate of increase in road length was just 44 per cent during this period. The road length reached 21,347 km from the 14,870 of 1975, the study report said.

Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode account for nearly 40 per cent of the vehicles registered in the State. Personal transport vehicles constitute 72 per cent of the vehicle population in the State. Scooters and motorcycles accounted for 77 per cent of the personal transport vehicles in the State.

According to the official figures, there are 4,46,959 vehicles in Kochi followed by 3,50,455 in Thiruvananthapuram and 2,07,117 in Kozhikode. Wayanad had the least number of vehicles-33,550.

The ambient air quality of Ernakulam has been adversely affected by the presence of most number of major and medium-scale industries and maximum number of vehicles. Of the 640 large or medium industries in the State, nearly 510 are located at Kochi. Air quality degradation was observed in Kanjikode in Palakkad due to the large number of electric furnace-based industries located there, the report said.

Industrial units

The major industrial units of Eloor, Udyogamandal and Ambalamugal in Kochi and Kanjikode account for almost half of the air polluting industries in the State. Studies have revealed that the Suspended Particulate Matter and Reparable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) regularly exceed the allowable limits in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode cities.

The study report recommended making the public transport system comfortable and punctual for reducing vehicular emission and incentives for good vehicle maintenance and use of public transport. Ensuring unimpeded vehicular movement by way of widening of roads, construction of flyovers and subways and introduction of underground rail have been suggested for reducing vehicle emission and noise.

Making available unadulterated fuel, compliance of emission norms through strict emission testing facility, replacement of older vehicles, introduction of low-sulphur fuels and use of catalytic converters have also been suggested.