Breathe easy: Bengaluru nowhere close to Delhi

Bengaluru: Bengaluru is cleaner when compared to Delhi and Mumbai with the particulate matter (PM) at 2.5 and Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at a maximum of 182. The air monitoring data released by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) reveals that the AQI has wavered from high to low from July to September in areas like ITPL, Rail Wheel Factory, Yelahanka and City Railway Station. Compared to Delhi and Mumbai, where the AQI goes up to 999 and 192, in Bengaluru it still goes only as high as 128, which the KSPCB terms as moderate. Of the 14 monitoring ambient air quality monitoring stations in the city, the maximum was recorded at the Central Silk Board (109) and ITPL, Whitefield (106).

City-based environmentalists said that Bengaluru will not go anywhere near Delhi in pollution levels. A consultant with the Centre for Sustainable Development, Mr Mahesh Kashyap, said, “In Delhi, a lot of illegal industries operate. It has slums, where dwellers burn wood to keep themselves warm during winter. We do not have such a situation in Bengaluru.” 

On the introduction of CNG vehicles, KSPCB Chairman Lakshman said that they are in talks with the transport department to introduce the clean fuel. “CNG will definitely improve the AQI in the city. During our regular meetings with the transport department and BMTC, this is discussed often,” he said. Mr Kashyap said that the government may introduce 200 CNG buses on a trial basis. “GAIL has the wherewithal ready for filling stations, so filling is not a big issue.” Though the Garden City has not reached Delhi levels in air pollution, experts believe that it is better to take precautionary measures now.

 AQI levels
Moderate (101-200)  Breathing discomfort even among healthy people. It may cause heart diseases among children and the elderly.
Severe (over 400) Severe respiratory effects even among healthy people.