Bengaluru: If you're in BTM Layout, Silk Board or parts of tony Whitefield, beware! Air pollution is a threat to your health, and a cause for worry across the world. The exponential growth of urban clusters, insufficient public transport infrastructure, large-scale burning of solid waste and the rampant use of diesel generators, along with an absence of policies to ensure sustainable development have all led to air pollution rising to dangerous levels.
In Bengaluru, where private vehicles are the main form of transport, data indicates that these account for about 70% of harmful emissions. Several parts of Bengaluru show particular matter levels that are well above WHO's safety standards. This year, with the United Nations choosing air pollution as the theme for World Environment Day, local environmentalists and experts look at ways to de-pollute the city.
"The city needs decongestion and the government should concentrate on public transport. With more privately owned vehicles entering the roads everyday, a major shift to public transport is needed," says Vijay Nishant, founder, Project Vruksha.
Data by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board says that BTM, Silk Board and Whitefield have fared below in the list of air quality in the peak traffic hours.
"In many areas of the city, the PM10 and PM2.5 levels are far above the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards," Mr Mahesh Kashyap, consultant, Public Health Foundation of India remarked. "There are ways to reduce air pollution, through the use of non-motorized transport, sweeping the dust on the roads, sprinkling treated water at construction sites.”
