State declares war on pollution!!!! Strange !!!
The Government of Karnataka has more than doubled the fine for noise and air pollution by an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and with immediate effect.
Bangalore has more than 50 lakh vehicles that contribute to 42 per cent of all the air and noise pollution in the city. The rules in question are 115, 119, and 120 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, read with section 190 (2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The infringements the amendment will cover include using altered, shrill horns, altering the silencer of vehicles, and failing to have an up-to-date emission certificate. Officers of and above the rank of inspector of the motor vehicles department and officers of and above the rank of sub-inspector of police, along with traffic sub-inspectors who are within their respective jurisdiction have been authorised to slap fines on motorists found guilty of committing these violations.
Fines for Noise and Air pollution by vehicles.
1). Incessant honking and driving a polluting vehicle will now set you back by Rs 1,000 the first time and Rs 2,000 after that.
Mr.Rame Gowda said that “Increase in the penalty will definitely act as a deterrent,”
“The current fines are very low. In the future, people will definitely follow the norms and check their vehicles for emission on regular basis.
Pollution in Bangalore has reached alarming level. Due to heavy emission from the vehicles quality of the air has deteriorated. Pollution levels in residential areas are worse than industrial areas so we had to come up with something drastic. While we have increased the fine amount, the Centre too is goingto come up with tougher actions to bring down pollution.”
KSPCB chairman Dr. Vaman N Acharya said the existing fines were so low that motorists did not view them with seriousness. “The new fines will make them think twice before driving a polluting vehicle. These fees should specifically be applied to honking to see the change immediately. I welcome the move and feel that the noise and air pollution levels could be effectively checked henceforth.”
KEEP REMINDERS, SAY MOTORISTS
Though the ‘pollution under control’ or emission certificates is mandatory for every motor vehicle, motorists often forget to carry it or renew it.
THE EFFECTS OF AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION
Dr Gururaj G, Professor and Head, Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences.
The increased rate of pollution has several physical and psychological implications. Apart from causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems, one cannot ignore the large psychological implications that it can have in the long term. People who travel to work on a motorcycle have to battle the long hours of traffic and reach the work place and these factors could affect productivity. The pent up irritation and anger could lead to stress and affect both personal and professional life. The cases of road rage are higher when noise pollution levels are excessive.
Dr. H Paramesh, pulmonologist and director, Lakeside Medical Hospital “The studies on the ill effects of emission began in 1991 after the increased rate of motorisation. Toxic emission from burning fuel could lead to a range of problems from asthma, pneumonia and cardiac problems. The number of patients suffering from persistent asthma has shot up by 25 per cent in the last few years.