<p>Bengaluru will go California way in reducing pollution levels to reclaim the tag of ‘Garden City,’ if one were to go by what the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) says.<br /><br /></p>.<p>KSPCB officials are drafting letters to send to all government departments. This comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi telling the nation to reduce emission and promote green energy.<br /><br />Vehicles, construction activity and industries contribute the most to pollution levels in the City. The new menace in the list is garbage.<br /><br /> “California too faced similar problems when it was developing. Now, we have an example before us to follow to overcome the crisis,” KSPCB Chairman Vaman Acharya told Deccan Herald. <br /><br />KSPCB team had meetings with conservationists and officials from California for over a year and based on this, they have prepared an agenda for Bengaluru. They have set 2025 as the deadline to bring City pollution levels under control.<br /><br />Letters are being drafted and they will be sent to Urban Development Department, Traffic and Transport Department, and State government on how this should be done. This is also important as Karnataka High Court has pointed that Bengaluru pollution needs to be controlled, Acharya added. <br /><br />Highlights of the draft includes- having adequate green space in industrial areas and planting trees, restricting movement of private vehicles in central business district (CBD), <br /><br />strengthening public transport and introducing battery operated autorickshaws like tuk tuks, introducing a regulated transport policy with banning two-stroke autos, converting 35,000 goods vehicles as emission-free vehicles, scrapping old vehicles from City roads and improving fuel quality.<br /><br /> The list also includes creating dust-free roads for which many corporate firms and World Bank have shown interest. <br /><br />Acharya said the government makes tall claims but does little on ground. There are many corporates willing to help, but there is a lack of will in the government. <br /><br />Most importantly, the government will have to define CBD areas, have proper garbage management, improve road condition and restrict parking of vehicles on City roads. There is a need to put pressure on government to make this a reality. <br />DH News Service</p>
<p>Bengaluru will go California way in reducing pollution levels to reclaim the tag of ‘Garden City,’ if one were to go by what the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) says.<br /><br /></p>.<p>KSPCB officials are drafting letters to send to all government departments. This comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi telling the nation to reduce emission and promote green energy.<br /><br />Vehicles, construction activity and industries contribute the most to pollution levels in the City. The new menace in the list is garbage.<br /><br /> “California too faced similar problems when it was developing. Now, we have an example before us to follow to overcome the crisis,” KSPCB Chairman Vaman Acharya told Deccan Herald. <br /><br />KSPCB team had meetings with conservationists and officials from California for over a year and based on this, they have prepared an agenda for Bengaluru. They have set 2025 as the deadline to bring City pollution levels under control.<br /><br />Letters are being drafted and they will be sent to Urban Development Department, Traffic and Transport Department, and State government on how this should be done. This is also important as Karnataka High Court has pointed that Bengaluru pollution needs to be controlled, Acharya added. <br /><br />Highlights of the draft includes- having adequate green space in industrial areas and planting trees, restricting movement of private vehicles in central business district (CBD), <br /><br />strengthening public transport and introducing battery operated autorickshaws like tuk tuks, introducing a regulated transport policy with banning two-stroke autos, converting 35,000 goods vehicles as emission-free vehicles, scrapping old vehicles from City roads and improving fuel quality.<br /><br /> The list also includes creating dust-free roads for which many corporate firms and World Bank have shown interest. <br /><br />Acharya said the government makes tall claims but does little on ground. There are many corporates willing to help, but there is a lack of will in the government. <br /><br />Most importantly, the government will have to define CBD areas, have proper garbage management, improve road condition and restrict parking of vehicles on City roads. There is a need to put pressure on government to make this a reality. <br />DH News Service</p>