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Air brakes may stop cars in Bangalore

Ecology department proposes curbs on fresh registrations to clean up the city air.

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The environment, forest and ecology department has written to the principal secretary of the urban development department seeking a restrictive policy on the registration of vehicles, to control air pollution due to vehicular emissions, a big cause of pollution in the city.

The letter, dated November 13, 2009, a copy of which is with DNA, read: “...Bangalore has registered 14% growth of vehicles against the 8% average in other metros. The number of vehicles is much more than the carrying capacity of the roads. It is, therefore, necessary that a restrictive policy on registration of new vehicles in Bangalore is formulated...”

Speaking to DNA, environment and ecology secretary Kanwar Pal, who signed the letter, said the proposal would be included while formulating the new transport policy to ensure that ambient air quality standards are met.

At present, 36,27,949 vehicles ply on city roads. Last year, the figure stood at 31,98,289. Reacting to the plan, transport department principal secretary MK Shankarlinge Gowda said such a policy has not been tried in the country.  Hence, it was not possible to implement the idea here.

“Earlier, Bangalore was spread across 250 sq km. Today, it has grown up to 800 sq km, so the number of vehicles too is bigger. Economic activities are measured with the number of vehicles plying on roads. Thus, restricting their number is not feasible,” Gowda said, adding that the use of private vehicles would be reduced considerably once the Metro is launched.

According to TG Sitharam, chairman of the Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transport and Urban Planning (CISTUP) of Indian Institute of Science, it is possible to a certain extent to curtail registration of vehicles. But it cannot be done in Bangalore alone as commuters will then register their vehicles in other places and drive them into the city.

“Singapore has curtailed registration of vehicles. Purchasing of vehicles there comes at a high premium; people have to wait long. Bangalore offers greater job opportunities, and thus draws many people. The government should create more jobs and infrastructure in Tier-2 cities to ease the  burden on city roads,” he said.

The central business district areas in Japan and the UK require people to either walk or cycle. In some western countries, only particular colour-coded vehicles are allowed to ply on certain days, keeping roads clear. 

CISTUP will review the transport policy and seek public opinion before  sending it for cabinet approval.
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