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Bengaluru on Brink: Pollution Crisis Looms Large
8 Dec
Summary
- Karnataka's Deputy CM ordered an expert panel to prevent a pollution crisis.
- Over 1.23 crore vehicles registered in Bengaluru contribute to pollution.
- Pollution levels may reach 'severe' category within a decade.
Growing concerns over deteriorating air quality in Bengaluru have prompted swift action from Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. He has formally instructed the Chief Secretary to establish an expert committee dedicated to recommending immediate measures to prevent the state capital from descending into a pollution crisis.
The directive was a direct response to a Member of the Legislative Council's warning that Bengaluru risks mirroring Delhi's environmental challenges if urgent steps are not implemented. The rapid increase in registered vehicles, exceeding 1.23 crore for a population of 1.47 crore, with an average of 2,563 new vehicles daily, is a significant contributing factor.
While the city's current Air Quality Index is in the 'moderate' range, experts caution that pollution levels are projected to escalate into the 'severe' category within the next decade. This forecast highlights an urgent need for strategic interventions to safeguard the health of residents, particularly children and the elderly, who are already experiencing increased respiratory issues.
