Breezy rides to breathing easy, Metro a boon all the way

Drastic cut in pollution

Apart from providing a seamless ride for Bengaluru residents, the popular east-west corridor of Namma Metro has given another reason to cheer. 

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has reported that there is a significant reduction in air pollution in and around Victoria Road and Majestic.

The KSPCB, which monitors the ambient air quality at two locations on the purple line, has pointed out that the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM/PM10) values have decreased by 6% on Victoria Road (near MG Road) and 31% at city railway station. The report compares the air quality after underground stretch of the metro rail was inaugurated last month with that before the inauguration. The report pointed out that there is greater reduction in the amount of dust after the inauguration. Another reason for reduction in dust could be rainfall, it said.

The KSPCB monitors air quality at 17 locations, including two continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations, in the city, under the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme. Of these, two stations are around the Metro railway stretch of 18 km (Baiyappanahalli to Nayandahalli). According to the pollution control board, air quality monitoring is being carried out for 24 hours, 365 days for air pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and RSPM / PM10.

This is as per the Central Pollution Control Board protocol, covering industrial areas, mixed urban areas and sensitive areas. Demanding an increase in the frequency of trains during the peak hours, Prashanth Srinivas, a  resident of Nayandahalli, said there was no space to get in and out as the coaches are jam-pac­ked. Commuting in Metro has become an harassment of sorts for women and senior citizens. BMRCL should act before pe­o­ple start thinking twice to take the Metro to work,” he said.