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Judges demand action on Mumbai's choking air
13 Apr
Summary
- Judges scrutinize vehicular emissions and construction sites.
- Panel directs traffic dept to implement bus lanes and barrier-free tolls.
- Authorities must test Pollution Under Control certificates rigorously.
A High-Powered Committee (HPC) established by the Bombay High Court has flagged vehicular emissions as a major contributor to the deteriorating air quality in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The committee's preliminary report, submitted to the High Court, also identified construction activities, industrial emissions, and road dust as significant pollution sources.
The HPC has issued directives to traffic authorities, including the implementation of dedicated bus lanes on wider roads and barrier-free toll collection systems. They also called for enhanced preventive maintenance for public transport vehicles to minimize breakdowns that disrupt traffic flow. Special attention is to be given to the accurate testing of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, with drives planned to identify and penalize fraudulent testing centers.
Furthermore, the committee recommended synchronizing traffic signals using tools like Google Maps to improve traffic management. The BMC's air pollution mitigation plan is also to be extended to all planning authorities and local bodies to regulate ongoing construction projects. The HPC will present further suggestions to the HC on April 30.
