Bengaluru’s air quality index hits 100, but no cheer for this ton

Bengaluru: "Not another gas chamber like Delhi," environment minister Eshwar Khandre said on Thursday, as he directed the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to issue notices to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and other local bodies if the air quality index in the city exceeds 100 in a day. He said failure to act would invite legal consequences.Amid concerns over the city's worsening air quality, the minister said he would call a meeting of all 28 city legislators under the chairmanship of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to chalk out measures to address air, water, and noise pollution.
Sources said the renewed focus followed concerns raised by Rajajinagar MLA Suresh Kumar during a recent legislature session. Though the minister had earlier sought time to respond, a review meeting was not convened for nearly a year. On Thursday, Khandre reviewed the issue with officials.Officials informed the minister that air quality is monitored at 11 fixed stations and 13 mobile units across Bengaluru. "The air quality suffers in Dec and Jan due to smog. This is worsened by road dust. Compared to the AQI of this period, there is a 5% to 6% improvement now," one official said. The city's AQI on Thursday stood at 98 (satisfactory).Officials said areas such as Veterinary College Junction near Hebbal (160), Jayanagar (143), Silk Board Junction (140), Mysuru Road (137), Kengeri (132), and Jigani (112) are among the worst affected.Referring to a 2023 study by the National Institute of Advanced Studies, officials said 31.8% of pollutants in Bengaluru's air are due to windblown dust. "About 51% of the pollutants are due to road dust, and the remaining are from old generator sets and unregulated construction activities. Even though vehicular emissions contribute to bad air quality, the percentage dramatically reduced due to stringent regulations under Bharat VI rules," an official added. The minister directed the civic authorities to deploy mechanised sweepers to reduce road dust.The BJP's Suresh Kumar said, "Pulmonologists repeatedly point out that kids are increasingly developing lung fibrosis, and a study by the Jayadeva doctors said air pollution as one of the major risk factors for premature cardiac arrests. The officials have acknowledged that AQI is crossing 100 on several occasions."Noting that the Central Pollution Control Board categorises AQI above 100 as "moderate", Khandre directed, "If AQI exceeds 100, then the jurisdictional local bodies, including GBA, should be issued notices. It will be brought under control within the stipulated time frame."The minister noted that not all wastewater generated is being treated at treatment plants. "Of the 1,600 MLD of wastewater, nearly 60% to 70% is treated. We need to check where the rest is discharged," the minister said, seeking a report in a month.Noting that Bengaluru is experiencing high temperatures, the minister conceded the trend to global warming and climate change, while stressing the need for local interventions. Increasing green cover, tightening dust-control norms, and strengthening enforcement under the Air Act and Water Act will form part of the strategy.Activists called for regulation of LED boards beaming high-intensity lights. "There are no standards on the luminous intensity; KSPCB hasn't acted against such glaring boards. It is time the govt acted," an activist said.