On warm days, it isn’t too hard to see the mass of dust that seem to sweep across the city. Those living close to main roads, or close to large construction sites — which seem to pockmark the city — or even those whose vehicles are parked in the open can testify to the amount of dust that mark the city’s air.
Perhaps, among the dustiest roads is the 59-km Outer Ring Road. With construction — either infrastructure or large-resident and commercial complexes — or unpaved service roads as well as transportation of sand depositing large amounts of fine dust on the busy road, motorists are often caught in dust storm shored by gusts. There is no larger testimony than piles of dust on the medians of the six-laned roads.
Similarly, the Hennur Main Road, where doubling works have stalled, dust is thrown up each time a vehicle passes over potholes or the un-tarred portion of the road.
The Energy Research Institute’s (TERI) source appropriation study of air pollution had recently found that road dust and construction sector contributed more than a third of the particulate matter pollution in the city. However, the contribution of road dust is more than 50 per cent when it came to PM10 (10 mm particulars).
Apart from large-scale construction, the constant development of houses and apartments have also become major sources of dust pollution.
For instance, a resident of AECS Layout D Block, said there were at least 30 borewells being dug in the area where numerous high-rise apartments were coming up. “Life has become hell for the residents living nearby. There is huge dust pollution and noise pollution,” said Nagaraj.
KSPCB directives to tackle pollution
A look at Karnataka State Pollution Control Board’s directives in the past — which have been largely ignored — gives an insight to a few solutions to tackle pollution in the city.
With the construction sector being large polluters, the KSPCB had in 2014 directed them to handle construction waste within their sites, and then send it to designated spots to dump debris. Moreover, they advised against dumping of construction sand in the open, without mitigation measures of spraying water.
Furthermore, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was directed to use road sweepers to clear the piles of sand and dust along the city’s roads. Recently, the civic body procured 16 such machines; however, many say it is not enough to cover the breadth of the city. A long-term solution is to ensure all unpaved surfaces and potholes are mended.
Expert speak
With so many infrastructure projects across the city, it is difficult to curtail dust pollution. Works should be completed fast, while portions that have been dug out must be tarred or planted. The civic body should deploy mechanical sweepers to remove curb-side dust. Even the soil on medians should be planted to ensure mud should not come on to the streets. Private constructions should ensure the site is completely covered.
S. Nandakumar, Chief Environmental Officer, KSPCB
