VIJAYAWADA: Dust particles, air filled with smog deterring one’s visibility and in addition to helmets, people wearing masks--this might be the future of Vijayawada soon. The day is not far when denizens will face a situation similar to New Delhi with increasing levels of pollutants in air if steps are not taken to keep a check on the pollution levels.
Blame it on increased vehicular traffic, construction and industrial works and reduced green cover in the city, Vijayawada’s pollution levels have reached dangerous figures in the recent times.
According to data obtained from the Road Transport Authority, Vijayawada has close to 6 lakh non-transport (for personal use) and 7 lakh transport vehicles plying. Over the past 3 years, there has been an average 15 per cent increase in the registration of new vehicles every year. The same trend has been observed across Krishna district with an average 13 per cent increase annually. The district has 10 lakh non-transport and 15 lakh transport vehicles.
The fuel emission released from all the 13 lakh vehicles in city are adding harmful components into the air like Carbon Monoxide, Ammonia, Nitrogen Monoxide, etc, thereby increasing the parameters PM2.5 and PM10 at an alarming pace. The Ambient Particulate Matter (PM10) and Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) were found touching standard value at peak hours during morning 9 am to 11am and evening 6 pm to 9 pm on Saturday. Around 8 pm, the two parameters, PM10 and PM 2.5, crossed the standard values at National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring system installed at VMC Guest House at Bundar Road.
“With the increase in air pollution, the number of breathing problems is also shooting up. Breathing air, which has heavy concentration of pollutants, is harmful to health and even causes lung and intestine related ailments,” said pulmonologist Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Ravipati. The Pollution Control Board officials claim that air pollution levels in Vijayawada have been consitently going up in the last five years. The officials further said that increased vehicular traffic and lack of greenery in city is the prime reason for high pollution levels. Unless immediate corrective measures are put in place by AP Pollution Control Board and the civic body, the situation may go awry.
“ We are recording the readings and alerting concerned departments to take measures in reducing pollution. Both VMC and forest department officials have been directed to plant as many plants to absorb the pollutants,” said a senior Pollution Control Board official. When contacted, VMC officials said they have chopped close to 1000 trees in two years for various development works in the city. While close to 100 huge trees were downed in Pinnamaneni Polyclinic Road for road widening works, another 250 trees were axed from Benz circle to Ramesh Hospital strech for Benz Circle Flyover works. “In return, we planted 15,000 avenue plants under city beautification project.
Red alert
According to 2016 CPCB report, Vijayawada has reported the highest level of PM10 in the State with 110 ug/m3.
It was around 90 ug/m3 in 2011 and crossed the 100-mark when it reached 104 ug/m3 in 2014.
In 2015, it broke its own record by touching 110 ug/m3.
More than 2000 trees downed for road and other development works.
Instead of increasing green cover by launching plantation drives, VMC focussing on beautification by planting avenue plants in central dividers and road sides
With increasing air pollution, no. of breathing problem also shooting up