MPCB asks municipal corporations, RTO to deploy pollution-curbing measures amid dipping air quality levels

The primary reasons are believed to be emissions from road dust, construction activities, vehicular movement, open burning of waste, and other local sources, MPCB said.

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Amid complaints of rising air pollution levels across the city, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has asked the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to monitor heavy vehicles violating emission norms. The pollution regulator also asked Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to take various anti-pollution measures, such as increasing the frequency of deployment of fogger machines and washing roads to prevent dust accumulation. MPCB’s move comes in the wake of the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) for Nov and Dec recording levels of 151 and 212, respectively, leading to complaints of respiratory distress among residents of different areas. In PMC areas, complaints came from areas including Bavdhan, Shelarwadi, Undri, Lohegaon, and Wagholi. MPCB has also written to PCMC, informing that the AQI has worsened significantly from 79-103 in Oct to 140-248 in Dec in various localities including Dange Chowk, Jagtap Dairy, and Rose Garden in Bhosari.

The primary reasons are believed to be emissions from road dust, construction activities, vehicular movement, open burning of waste, and other local sources, MPCB said.

Residents have complained that roads are heavily covered with mud and loose soil, resulting in excessive dust emissions. “I have been experiencing irritability of the skin and eyes after travelling to and from work on my two-wheeler. Dust and small gravel are just sprayed on two-wheeler riders after a truck passes by. Many heavy vehicles also emit very heavy fumes, so it is very difficult to breathe while commuting,” said Sumati Kulkarni, a Bavdhan resident. Wagholi resident Ashutosh Kumar said continuous construction activity is making the city unlivable due to dust and noise pollution. “Cement dust coming from building sites gets mixed with regular sand, which is circulated in the air along with the wind,” he said. Kartikeya Langote, sub-regional officer of MPCB, told TOI, “The situation has become alarming and requires immediate attention. The absence of proper dust control measures such as regular water sprinkling, covering of soil during transportation, and road cleaning is aggravating the problem. Prolonged exposure to such conditions is causing serious health concerns, including respiratory problems, especially among children, senior citizens, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.”