Once the Garden City, Bengaluru now competes with Delhi for air pollution capital status

KSPCB is expected to release the data for 2015-16 in a few weeks
Once the Garden City, Bengaluru now competes with Delhi for air pollution capital status
Once the Garden City, Bengaluru now competes with Delhi for air pollution capital status

You might think that Delhi is the most polluted city in India. But what may come as a surprise is that Bengaluru is worse off than Delhi, when it comes to air quality. According to the National Air Quality Index 2015 (NAQI), Bengaluru was more than two times worse than Delhi at various points in a day, reported The Hindu.

According to data from Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), the year 2014-2015 saw a radical leap from previous year’s values, taking a turn for the worse. The region of Graphite India in Whitefield recorded particulate matter at an all-time high of 230 mg/m3 for 2014-15, when the national permissible limit is 60 mg/m3. The residents in these areas have been suffering from respiratory problems and other health issues.

“Enormous amounts of fine graphite soot are released into the atmosphere each day. Not just the employees, even daily commuters, residents and traders in the vicinity of GIL are suffering”, said a resident to Deccan Herald in 2015.

According to data provided by KSPCB, the city has seen a drastic jump in air pollution levels over the years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Of the 15 locations that are monitored for ambient air quality values, 13 locations have constantly exceeded the national limit allowed for Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) in the air.

Data for 2013-14:

According to a study conducted by Massachussettes Institute of Technology (MIT), RSPM can make citizens more vulnerable to bronchitis, asthma, heart diseases and even lung cancer. Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released a report last year, according to which residents in over 8 locations across Bengaluru face breathing discomfort due to prolonged exposure to increased levels of RSPM.  

Data for 2014-2015:

KSPCB is expected to release the data for 2015-16 in a few weeks. 

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com