Peoples’ role in reducing city air pollution vital

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 4, 2015 : Speaking after inaugurating the ‘air pollution reduction month’ drive organised by the Transport Department here, R.N. Kulkarni, assistant general manager, State Bank of Mysore, Mangaluru, on Nov 3 said that people should take more responsibility in containing air pollution and that government agencies alone cannot be entrusted with the responsibility.  He also said that people should also be aware of their responsibilities even as they talk about their rights.  People have to keep their vehicle properly tuned so as to emit gases within the prescribed limits.

Using aged vehicles contributes to environment pollution and banks in general discourage buying old vehicles. Speaking on the occasion, environment officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Mangaluru, Rajashekara Puranik said the central government is planning to make it mandatory for Bharat Stage IV vehicles by April 2016 in all cities in Karnataka. The sulphur content in fuel with BS IV standards should be less than 50 ppm. BS IV would become mandatory across India by April 2017, he said.

Reducing the sulphur content in fuel is one among the steps being taken by the government to contain air pollution at source. For this, both automobile manufacturers and oil refineries are cooperating .

Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Mangaluru, G.S. Hegde elaborated the importance of the month-long drive and said the department would conduct special drive to ensure vehicles adhere to prescribed standards.