19/03/2015
Blame vehicles for air pollution as few convert to CNG
MUMBAI: The main sources of air and noise pollution in the state, especially in Mumbai, are vehicles while domestic sewage has been found majorly responsible for water pollution in rivers. Noise pollution levels have exceeded during working and non-working days in areas like Shivaji Park and Antop Hill, while the air monitoring station at Sion has recorded a slight dip in air pollution over the last year, reveals the economic survey.
Of the total CNG/PNG convertible vehicles in the state, only 7 to 8% have converted to either CNG and LPG, indicating that there was still a huge target left for the government to reduce air pollution in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur where vehicle density is growing at a faster pace. "As on March 31, 2014, out of 64.83 lakh CNG/PNG convertible vehicles in the state, the number of vehicles fitted with LGP kit was 1.19 lakh and those fitted with CNG kit was 3.47 lakh," the copy of the survey revealed.
Use of less sulphur content diesel, lead-free petrol, CNG/LPG as an alternative fuel making PUC mandatory, banning 15-year-old vehicles and converting eight-year-old vehicles to CNG/LPG are some key measures that need to be taken to restrict the air pollution.
About 28% of the state's industrial waste are polluting air and water while 8% are polluting the soil. The air quality monitoring stations at 77 places in 17 districts of the state with the help of various educational institutes are helping the state keep track of air pollutants.
It is estimated that 75-80% of water pollution is due to discharge of untreated domestic sewage into rivers, lakes, and ponds. As on March 2014, sewage treatments and disposal arrangments have been made by 18 of the 26 corporations and only 10 municipal councils out of 433 municipalities.
