Soon, panel to monitor air quality, noise level

The Bench observed that the BMTC buses are usually stopped 40 to 50 ft. away from the stop or on the middle of the road affecting movement of other vehicles

A coordination committee will be set up to monitor air quality and noise level in the city, authorities of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) informed the Karnataka High Court here on Monday.

The committee will comprise officials from Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and traffic police among others.

A submission in this regard was made during the hearing of a public interest litigation petition initiated suo motu by the High Court based on reports of noise pollution in the city.

Meanwhile, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice B.V. Nagarathna asked KSPCB to ensure that the proposed committee meets every week.

The Bench suggested setting up of a common office where the public can register their grievances related to air and noise pollutions at one place instead of having to file separate complaints with different agencies.

BMTC buses, stops

During the hearing, the Bench observed that the BMTC buses are usually stopped 40 to 50 ft. away from the stop or on the middle of the road affecting movement of other vehicles. “This is not a civilized way at all. Action should be taken against BMTC bus drivers if they do not stop the bus at the bus-stop,” the Bench observed.

Plea dismissed

The High Court on Monday dismissed a petition questioning the election of Dinesh Gundu Rao to the State Legislative Assembly from Gandhinagar constituency, Bangalore, in 2013.

Justice B.S. Patil passed the order on the petition filed by V. Nagaraj. The court said that there was no material in the petition for holding a trial.