The city ranks among the most polluted metros in India, and yet, the Karnataka government is doing little to implement the recommendations of its own Pollution Control Board.
An ever-increasing number of vehicles on city roads and frenetic construction activity contribute in a big way to Bengaluru's foul air.
Five years ago, the board had recommended a ban on vehicles older than 15 years in Bengaluru.
That remains on paper to this day. The National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court too had taken note of the proposal in 2014.
Another proposal was to ban two-stroke autos. The government accepted the idea five years ago, but is now talking of persuasion rather than coersion.
Adding to the pollution, some autos run on fuel adulterated with kerosene. According to officials from the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi, though many pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide decide air quality, what affects people immediately are the levels of respirable particulate matter (PM)-10 and 2.5.
They have assessed PM-10 in Bengaluru in 2015 at 119 ug/m3, against the permissible annual limit of 60 ug/m3. The last six months for 2016 also show the level at an alarming 124 ug/m3.
Waiting for approval
The amended Motor Vehicle Act is before a Parliament standing committee, B Basavaraj, principal secretary, transport department, says.
"Once it is approved, Karnataka will implement it immediately. Our department will ban all 15-year-old vehicles plying on City roads," the official told DH.
One of the important features of the amended law is that the penalties for offences will go up. The Karnataka transport department is chalking out plans to make fitness certificates mandatory for all vehicles, Basavaraj says.
An ever-increasing number of vehicles on city roads and frenetic construction activity contribute in a big way to Bengaluru's foul air.
Five years ago, the board had recommended a ban on vehicles older than 15 years in Bengaluru.
That remains on paper to this day. The National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court too had taken note of the proposal in 2014.
Another proposal was to ban two-stroke autos. The government accepted the idea five years ago, but is now talking of persuasion rather than coersion.
Adding to the pollution, some autos run on fuel adulterated with kerosene. According to officials from the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi, though many pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide decide air quality, what affects people immediately are the levels of respirable particulate matter (PM)-10 and 2.5.
They have assessed PM-10 in Bengaluru in 2015 at 119 ug/m3, against the permissible annual limit of 60 ug/m3. The last six months for 2016 also show the level at an alarming 124 ug/m3.
Waiting for approval
The amended Motor Vehicle Act is before a Parliament standing committee, B Basavaraj, principal secretary, transport department, says.
"Once it is approved, Karnataka will implement it immediately. Our department will ban all 15-year-old vehicles plying on City roads," the official told DH.
One of the important features of the amended law is that the penalties for offences will go up. The Karnataka transport department is chalking out plans to make fitness certificates mandatory for all vehicles, Basavaraj says.
The city ranks among the most polluted metros in India, and yet, the Karnataka government is doing little to implement the recommendations of its own Pollution Control Board.
An ever-increasing number of vehicles on city roads and frenetic construction activity contribute in a big way to Bengaluru’s foul air.
Five years ago, the board had recommended a ban on vehicles older than 15 years in Bengaluru.
That remains on paper to this day. The National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court too had taken note of the proposal in 2014.
Another proposal was to ban two-stroke autos. The government accepted the idea five years ago, but is now talking of persuasion rather than coersion.
Adding to the pollution, some autos run on fuel adulterated with kerosene. According to officials from the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi, though many pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide decide air quality, what affects people immediately are the levels of respirable particulate matter (PM)-10 and 2.5.
They have assessed PM-10 in Bengaluru in 2015 at 119 ug/m3, against the permissible annual limit of 60 ug/m3. The last six months for 2016 also show the level at an alarming 124 ug/m3.
Waiting for approval
The amended Motor Vehicle Act is before a Parliament standing committee, B Basavaraj, principal secretary, transport department, says.
"Once it is approved, Karnataka will implement it immediately. Our department will ban all 15-year-old vehicles plying on City roads,” the official told DH.
One of the important features of the amended law is that the penalties for offences will go up. The Karnataka transport department is chalking out plans to make fitness certificates mandatory for all vehicles, Basavaraj says.
An ever-increasing number of vehicles on city roads and frenetic construction activity contribute in a big way to Bengaluru’s foul air.
Five years ago, the board had recommended a ban on vehicles older than 15 years in Bengaluru.
That remains on paper to this day. The National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court too had taken note of the proposal in 2014.
Another proposal was to ban two-stroke autos. The government accepted the idea five years ago, but is now talking of persuasion rather than coersion.
Adding to the pollution, some autos run on fuel adulterated with kerosene. According to officials from the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi, though many pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide decide air quality, what affects people immediately are the levels of respirable particulate matter (PM)-10 and 2.5.
They have assessed PM-10 in Bengaluru in 2015 at 119 ug/m3, against the permissible annual limit of 60 ug/m3. The last six months for 2016 also show the level at an alarming 124 ug/m3.
Waiting for approval
The amended Motor Vehicle Act is before a Parliament standing committee, B Basavaraj, principal secretary, transport department, says.
"Once it is approved, Karnataka will implement it immediately. Our department will ban all 15-year-old vehicles plying on City roads,” the official told DH.
One of the important features of the amended law is that the penalties for offences will go up. The Karnataka transport department is chalking out plans to make fitness certificates mandatory for all vehicles, Basavaraj says.