The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has written to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to clean the pavements and construct better roads to check air pollution levels in the City.
According to KSPCB officials, dust is the second major contributor to air pollution that constitutes 20 per cent of the total pollution, after vehicles.
“Unlike rural dust which comprises mostly soil, Bangalore dust comprises elements like silica, aluminium, iron, sulphate and most importantly, lead. The lead content in the dust, if not checked everyday, will turn hazardous,” says B Nagappa, scientific officer, KSPCB.
In the letter, KSPCB has suggested the BBMP to bring down the road dust by constructi
ng better roads, proper maintenence of roads, wall-to-wall paving and regular sweeping.
Substantial increase
KSPCB has been monitoring the ambient air quality of the City for the last one year. It has found that there has been a substantial increase in the ambient air quality levels at 12 locations in the City.
The study initiated under the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), covers industrial and mixed-urban areas. According to the study, vehicles are the first major cause for air pollution, which contributes up to 42 per cent. Industries in the City contribute 14 per cent to the pollution, followed by the diesel generator sets.
KSPCB had written to various departments to participate in a meeting so that action plans can be implemented to bring down the levels of pollution. The Board has also written to the Transport department to regulate vehicular movement in the City by strengthening the public transport system.
The study has revealed that the Respiratory Suspended Particulate Material (RSPM) values have increased in various parts of the City and this could be due to construction works and infrastructure projects like BMRCL’s Namma Metro.