STOP THE REGISTRATION OF NEW VEHICLES IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT – KSPCB
ADDITIONAL MEASURES WHICH MIGHT BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING POLLUTION AS WELL AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS TO
a). STOP FINANCING MOTOR VEHICLES,(selective basis),
b). PERMITTING ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE GENUINE PARKING SPACE with complete details about the built up area (sanctioned plan),
c). ONE VEHICLE PERMIT PER FAMILY based on the income tax return,
d). BETTER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has directed the State Transport Department to “restrict registration of new vehicles in Bangalore City till the noise levels and air quality standards are met” and also to “ban autorickshaws from CBD of the city in a phased manner.”
‘Directions ignored’
KSPCB stated that it had issued series of directions and circulars to all the concerned departments to check pollution in the city over the past 30 years, but none of these departments ever took these directions seriously.
KSPCB submitted the notifications issued in this regard to a Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri. The Bench is hearing a PIL petition, which the court had initiated last year based on newspaper reports on high pollution levels in the city.
Government counsel R. Devdas said that State authorities will cooperate with the KSPCB in ensuring that the city’s environment is protected.
While adjourning further hearing to September 16, the Bench directed the State government and its agencies to hold a meeting to chalk out a plan to implement directions issued by the KSPCB, while orally observing that Bangalore may become like a European country if all these directions are affectively implemented.
