Flyover of no help to check pollution

HYDERABAD: The one-km-long branched out flyover at Punjagutta, meant to ease traffic and lower pollution levels, has been of little help in bringing down pollution levels at the busy junction. The respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) is above normal levels (i.e 100 microgram (mg)/cubic metre (m3), while noise levels are also above average value at the junction.

The AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) collects Air Quality Data summary report on pollution levels every day at various places in the city, including environmentally-sensitive areas like Zoo Park and KBR Park. Apart from RSPM and TSPM, the levels of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide in the air are taken for study.
Disproving the popular opinion that urban infrastructure such as flyovers would reduce pollution levels apart from avoiding traffic congestion, the pollution levels are soaring higher every year. Traffic problems too have not eased at several places despite these flyovers.

According to APPCB pollution data, RSPM at Punjagutta was 114 mg/m3 in February 2008. The latest analysis shows that RSPM levels are at 105 mg/m3 in May, 111 mg/m3 in April 2010 and 114 mg/m3 in March.
For total suspended particulate matter (TSPM), the levels are also above normal levels (i.e 200 mg/m3) at the junction. While TSPM at Punjagutta was 333 mg/m3 in February 2008, there was a slight variations with 312, 326 and 329 mg/m3 TSPM in May, April and March 2010 respectively.

The noise levels were 72 decibels (dB) during the daytime against the standard level of 65 dB and during nights it was recorded at 90 dB which is considered very high.

APPCB officials said the noise levels were alarming at Zoo Park and KBR Park where it was recorded at 70 dB during daytime and 80 dB during nights. The night levels are high due to heavy vehicular movement.

Interestingly, surrounding areas like Kukatpally and Langar Houz have emerged as highly polluted areas in the Greater Hyderabad area. In 2008, the RSPM and TSPM levels at Kukatpally was 95 and 281 mg/m3.

Now, pollution levels have risen to 114 and 356 (highest in the city) respectively. APPCB officials said the RSPM and TSPM levels are constantly above standard levels in Kukatpally. Similarly, Langar Houz also recorded 113 mg/m3 RSPM and 324 mg/m3 TSPM levels in May 2010. The RSPM and TSPM levels were 131 and 370 in April 2010 which were highest in the city.

“The levels of RSPM and TSPM are on the rise in the surrounding areas due to construction activity, heavy vehicular movement and traffic congestion,” APPCB joint chief environmental scientist K V Ramani told TOI.

Article Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Flyover-of-no-help-to-check-pollution/articleshow/6117429.cms

About

The Right to Walk Foundation is a Hyderabad based NGO campaigning for pedestrian rights. It is registered society under the Andhra Pradesh Registration Act, 2001 and the registration number is 468 of 2008. The Foundation takes its root from the shared concern that the GHMC had failed to provide the common man with a wide enough footpath; free of encroachments, stench and garbage to walk on and from the fact that to-date, there has been no clear-cut focus on problems faced by pedestrians in the city or measures to solve the same.