Bumper-to-bumper in city

Bumper-to-bumper in city
AKANKSHA MEHROTRA
DC | BENGALURU


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Bengaluru had nearly 21 lakh vehicles in 2005, but it shot up to 31.29 lakh in 2008 and over 40 lakh in 2009.

Forty lakh and counting.
In the past decade, the city witnessed a substantial jump in the number of vehicles on its roads, resulting in acute pollution and high levels of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere.

According to statistics available with the transport department, the state had nearly 40 lakh vehicles in 2000-01, with the city accounting for 14 lakh of these automobiles. Over the years, however, the number of vehicles has spiralled in the city. "More people means more vehicles. The city had nearly 21 lakh vehicles in 2005, but it shot up to 31.29 lakh in 2008 and over 40 lakh in 2009. The number of vehicles on Bengaluru's roads is going up drastically. One in every four Bengalureans own a vehicle; every BPO firm runs a mini transport company of its own," a senior official of the Transport Department told Deccan Chronicle.

The official said the public transport system has also contributed to the growth in vehicular traffic as a large number of initiatives are being taken to enhance connectivity within the city.

The city has about 6,000 BMTC buses which will increase to 10,000, shortly.

Official sources pointed out that the increase in the number of has a negative impact on local weather conditions. The increase in level of pollution, particularly caused by carbon monoxide emitted by all vehicles, has influenced the weather adversely.

Confirming the increase in level of pollution, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) scientific officer Nagappa said, "As per the Source Apportionment Study conducted by TERI, 45 per cent of the pollution is being caused due to increasing vehicular growth in the city. The pollution levels are increasing every year since the number of vehicles is going up."