Improved air quality in the city, an urgent public need

Will the alarming Delhi pollution force the Karnataka government to wake up from its slumber to address the dipping air quality in Bengaluru?

Are people now inclined to be more responsible towards the environment, which has been in a twister of pollutants fuelled by the unregulated real estate and automobile industries?

Deccan Herald interacts with a cross-section of people to understand their concerns on the issue and their solutions to tackle the growing menace of air pollution.
 
Uma Somashekhar, a resident of Chamarajpet, feels Bengaluru’s pollution needs to be addressed on a war-footing before it reaches the levels of Delhi. She explains, ”What is happening in Delhi is a matter of serious concern. If the state government still hesitates to initiate strict measures to control the pollution, all our lives will be at stake in the near future. With increase in air pollution, people are directly exposed to toxic fumes that lead to skin diseases and allergies.”

As an accountant, Uma has to travel to office every day. “I prefer going by public transport. So I request people to contribute their bit by taking buses or taxis to reduce the vehicular movement on road. It has now become a fashion to have a second car for the family. A rule should be made to levy heavy tax on people who prefer going for an additional car,” she says.

Environmentalist Suresh Heblikar feels that Delhi is completely different in its geographical pattern. He explains, “Our city has its own advantages. Compared to Bengaluru, Delhi has a larger number of vehicles plying on the road. It mainly boils down to people who should take a step forward and go eco-friendly at all levels.”

Since there are large number of working class in the city, he says people should encourage carpooling and public transport. “For instance, if I am flying somewhere, I usually prefer public transport to reach the airport. The basic responsibility lies in you to bring down the pollution level,” he points out.

“As the city grows, the government should reinstate a few of the programmes to create more awareness among people on the daunting effects of air pollution. If the trees are being felled for any project, the government should make sure that a sapling is planted elsewhere within the city,” he adds.

Syed Amjed Ahmed, visiting faculty at St. Joseph’s College reasons that the scenario in Delhi might not immediately replicate in Bengaluru as the parameters of humidity and temperature are completely different.  He says, “In Delhi, the temperature is either too high or too low. But Bengaluru is blessed with a lot of greenery. However, if we start losing the existing trees, then the scenario might be similar to Delhi in the coming days.”

Ahmed suggests that government restrain older diesel vehicles that are more than 10 years old from plying on the roads. “Even autorickshaws and BMTC vehicles should be checked for their emission on a timely basis. Also as individuals, people should adopt a plant or a tree in their neighbouring areas and take all responsibility in nurturing it.”

Jalajakshi G, a lecturer in ASC College says that air pollution is a slow and unwarranted problem. “Many do not realize how bad it can be until it’s too late. We should bring pressure on the government to implement programmes such as tapping solar energy as much as possible. If there is proper channelization, the natural source of energy such as sunlight can be tapped easily,” she feels.

Besides, she says, the government should encourage more cars run on CNG / electricity. Subsidy should be offered for such environment-friendly vehicles.

“Industrial areas and small factories should be shifted to the outskirts of the city. Awareness programmes, seminars and debates on environmental pollution should be conducted with more rigour at all educational institutions,” elaborates Jalajakshi.