Scientific solutions needed
We all are aware about the ill effects of increased number of vehicles on the roads. The large number of vehicles both commercial and private is polluting our environment to such an extent that the twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar in the UT will be ranked among the most polluted cities.
Since some efforts are being pursued to curtail air pollution levels, the desired levels of clean air can only be met when some concrete steps are initiated and followed up strictly at all levels.
Few months back the administration announced a fleet of e-buses that are to be provided to the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) which will help reduce pollution levels and provide an easy and comfortable alternative to the people for their commuting needs.
The start of electric bus service is a step forward towards providing eco friendly public transportation with modern facilities to the commuters in the region. The use of e-Buses will help to abate pollution levels and provide a better option of travel for the commuters who have been left gasping for breath.
The start of e-buses is the need of the hour as Srinagar city was listed as the tenth worst polluted city in the world according to a World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) global urban air pollution database in 2020.
According to the figures 14 of the world’s most polluted cities are in India — among them Srinagar ranks tenth with 113 micrograms per cubic metre of PM 2.5 concentration. Though this figure witnessed some improvement during the times of pandemic but right now the situation is turning bad to worse.
The WHO database measured the levels of fine particulate matter from more than 4,300 cities in 108 countries. Though, the WHO data was questioned by some officials in Kashmir but the WHO said that the data compiled and used by it was recorded at PM 2.5 level in outdoor ambient air.
The WHO data was also supported by a study jointly conducted by a team of scientists from Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and University of Kashmir found that air quality deteriorates significantly during winter in Srinagar, otherwise known for its pristine environs.
It revealed that cold temperatures with dry conditions along with elevated levels of biofuel emissions from the domestic sector are responsible for particulate pollution especially during chilly weather.
Kashmir, known as a paradise on earth has been fighting the rise in air pollution since past many years now. It is a different story altogether that the past governments over the years failed to act on this crucial issue.
The region continued to move forward using age old diesel vehicles which not only proved a discomfort while commuting but also played havoc with the fragile environs here. Besides, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a tremendous rise in the number of commercial and private vehicles. Every household in Kashmir valley and elsewhere in the UT owns almost few cars and two wheelers as the public transport system here is in a pretty bad shape.
This being the reason that the air pollution levels are touching the danger zone and a sincere effort is the need of the hour to curtail this rise.
KV Network
