MPCB promotes car-free days to curb pollution
In an effort to curb air pollution, car-free days in different areas of Mumbai have been unveiled by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Last month, good results were obtained by MPCB officials, when they conducted a similar exercise at Carter Road in Mumbai's suburb of Bandra.
MPCB member secretary Mahesh Pathak feels that since the pollution levels are rising up rapidly, this ides is worth being adopted across the city at least once a month.
Pathak says that a huge plunge could be seen in air pollution by the car-free day organized by MPCB along with an NGO called Awaaz Foundation.
MPCB carried some studies which indicated a significant hike in air pollution in Mumbai in the past four years. The studies also noted a respective increase by 36 per cent, 13 per cent, and 11 per cent, in atmospheric pollutants like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) in the city.
What is worse is the fact that in spite of adoption of pollution control measures, these pollutants have been increasing steadily, says one study conducted over 19 years.
Moreover, only a little help has been provided by Euro III norms due to an increase in cars on the city's roads. MPCB secretary said, "Some 300 vehicles are registered daily in Mumbai."
He added that the pollution board is promoting for active controls on the vehicles deployed in the city's roads.
