B’luru ranks third in overall emissions among 14 cities

Bengaluru has ranked third in overall emissions and energy consumption, according to a survey report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Friday.

The report titled — The Urban Commute, and How it Contributes to Pollution and Energy Consumption — released in Kolkota on Friday, revealed that emission levels in Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad were going the Delhi way.

The report revealed that Delhi was the most polluted and Bhopal the least.

Also on the index of ranking on per travel trip emissions and energy consumption, Bengaluru ranked fourth. Kolkata was the best while Hyderabad ranked the lowest. Chandigarh stood second followed by Kochi.

The 14 cities surveyed are Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kochi, Bhopal, Vijayawada and Chandigarh.

The survey was done on the basis of carbondioxide emissions, particulate matter, nitogen dioxides and guzzling from urban commuting.

According to the report, megacities of Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai score poor as they have low share of public transport compared to Delhi. Yet they have scored better than Delhi only because of the total travel volumes are comparatively low. With growth and without adequate action, they can get worse, the report showed.

Need for policies

Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director and Research and Advocacy, CSE told DH that this ranking proves that for clean and low carbon mobility, cities need policies to stop urban sprawl; reduce distances between residences, jobs and recreation through compact urban forms; scale up integrated public transport, walking and cycling; and put curbs on use of personal vehicles.

The report showed that Bhopal tops for the lowest overall emission and energy use from urban commute. Bhopal has taken early action to improve its public transport use.

Kolkota and Mumbai emit least among six mega cities due to high use of public transport snd walking. Kolkota also has short travel distances due to its compact form. But this is not the case with Bengaluru, showed the report.

Bhargab Maitra, professor, Department of Civil engineering, IIT Kharagpur, said that the department was working on technology innovations in urban indigenous technology for electric mobility.