Vehicular density is a big issue

City at risk by 2030

Bengaluru versus Delhi

Electric vehicles could be a solution

Bengaluru air pollution

Vehicular density comparison

Vehicular and population density in India growth

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Climate change activist Greta Thunberg has played catalyst to the minds of many youngsters who ventured out to raise their voice against the rising air pollution and other risks in Bengaluru at the Town Hall recently. We caught up with SK Satheesh, professor at the Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, who says that the scare is very real, especially since the city has even supersedes Delhi’s pollution during summer, and it could get worse. Prof. Sateesh was awarded the Infosys Prize 2018 in Physical Sciences by Infosys Science Foundation.Prof Satheesh says that two main reasons for the air pollution in Bengaluru are population density and vehicular density. “The main issue that affects people due to the increased pollution level is respiratory illness. Studies show that about 40% of the people visiting doctors have them. Among these, it is school children who are specifically affected because of the degradation of air quality . According to a report by the Lancet medical journal, two Indians die every minute due to air pollution. Similarly, studies from the World Health Organisation (WHO) say that South Asians have the weakest lungs and Indians are more affected than others in the region,” he states.According to the WHO, permissible air pollution density levels is around 60 micrograms per metre for particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometres in size (PM 2.5). Satheesh says, “The air quality in Bengaluru averages to around 100 micrograms per metre. This is already above the permissible levels. Studies conducted by us show that if the current trend in pollution continues at the same pace, we will reach over double the permissible limits of 150 micrograms by 2030. The all India pollution levels are increasing at a rate of around 5% every year.”Recent reports have suggested Delhi to be one of the most polluted cities in the world. Prof Satheesh says that while Bengaluru is not in a situation as bad as Delhi today, there are enough red flags that show that we must take action now. “Bengaluru’s pollution levels are higher compared to the rest of South India, due to the traffic and population density. Twenty years ago, one only heard of pollen allergies from January to July during the flowering season. Now, due to pollution, there are cases of allergies registered right through the year.Bengaluru was in safe limits, but it isn't so anymore. It needs to be controlled now, else we will be facing a huge crisis in the near future. In certain summer months, the pollution levels are known to cross even that of Delhi,” he reveals.There has been a repeated stress on the usage of electric vehicles being an option out. “When one compares the traffic density in metro cities, Delhi has a population of around 20 million and has 10 million vehicles. Mumbai has 20 million population, but the vehicles in the city are around 5 million. Bengaluru, on the other hand, has 7 million vehicles for a population of 12 million. This shows the higher density. Even when one looks at India, the number of vehicles have grown from 2 million in 1970 to 20 million in 1990 to over 200 million in 2018. So, electric vehicles need to be promoted. Though, to ensure effective usage, the government needs to provide subsidies, as well as adequate charging points in the city to make this option more viable,” notes Prof Satheesh.WHO permissible limit: 60 microgram of PM 2.5 per metreBengaluru's current average level: 100 microgram of PM 2.5 per metreBy 2030: Bengaluru is estimated to have 150 microgram of PM 2.5 per metreDelhi - 10 million vehicles for 20 million populationMumbai - 5 million vehicles for 20 million populationBengaluru - 7 million vehicles for 12 million population1970: 2 million vehicles1990: 20 million vehicles2018: 200 million vehicles1975: 150 people per square kilometre2018: >400 people per square kilometre