Bangalore among most polluted cities in India

Bangalore among most polluted cities in India
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Vehicular air pollution in Bangalore is in the spotlight once again. In his book titled ‘Urban Vehiclular Pollution Control - Focus Bangalore’, author T.M. Ameer Ahmed has categorised the city among the ‘‘most polluted’’ in India.

A study of Air Quality Indices for city roads by Ahmed show that Mysore Road, Avenue Road, Tumkur Road and KG Road are the most polluted and need immediate relief. At a lower level of pollution yet needing immediate attention are Anand Road Circle, Hosur Road, JC Road, Magadi Road and Bellary Road. Nrupatunga Road and Cunningham Road are also figure on the polluted list.

According to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), a mild improvement in air quality has been observed in the city after the LPG conversion was enforced on autorickshaws, introduction of quality fuels and phasing out of old vehicles. The sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide levels seem to have fallen apart from suspended particulate matter and respirable suspended particulate matter.

However, this is no time to celebrate warns Ahmed. There is much to achieved as yet. Even today, a citizen here inhales as much air pollution as he would if he smoked 24 cigarettes.

‘‘Adulteration of fuel continues,’’ says Ahmed adding ‘‘No amount of policing can control this. The authorities are hoodwinked. Industrial units seek licenses for kerosene for own use power generation. But many of the tankers dispose the oil before entering the gates of the factory. Illegal diversion has become the norm. The monitoring must be tightened.’’

Ethanol, a clean, is a highly viable tool to control pollution. Now a mixture of five percent ethanol is permitted and the proportion is likely to double in coming years. Ahmed has recommended large-scale use of bio-ethanol produced as a by-product of sugar in cane mills.

Ahmed has actively promoted the use of hydrogen as a fuel leading to the reduction of fossil fuels like petrol and diesel. ‘‘Hydrogen has two clear advantages: It is non-polluting and is available in huge quantities (every molecule of water has hydrogen),’’ Ahmed points out.

Ahmed in his book, has championed the cause of electric vehicles -- cars and scooters -- besides the conversion of all BMTC and KSRTC buses to LPG or other bio-fuel mixtures like ‘honge’ oil.