Though the city may not be as bad as the glitch-laden figures of the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) claims, any resident can testify to the plumes of smoke and dust that make commuting a nightmare.
Just three out of 15 monitoring stations run by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) in the city show air quality levels within permissible standards. Not surprisingly, these three are in residential zones. The air quality is worst at the busy Central Silk Board junction and Victoria Hospital (K.R. Market) where the pollution levels are 2.5 times above ‘normal’ limits.
Pollution levels at the Peenya Industrial Estate, Victoria Road and Mysuru Road are a matter of concern.
These figures, however, are not reflected in the NAQI.
The Central Pollution Control Board operates just three stations – all close to the Outer Ring Road. Even their measurements at Peenya, admit CPCB officials, are understated, as the monitoring station is in an elevated area, which inhibits its ability to capture PM2.5 (that has a tendency to settle in lower reaches).
