Bengaluru targets lower particulate matter emission: GBA Chief Commissioner

M. Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), said on Friday that the city plans to promote green buildings, rein in construction-related pollution, and keep particulate matter (PM) emissions below 20.

“Bengaluru is already the third-largest city in the country in terms of green buildings, but we should further incentivise sustainable construction,” he said at the Green Karnataka Summit 2026.

Mr. Rao noted that a key focus of the city’s climate action plan is reducing PM levels, much of which is linked to construction dust and debris. He emphasised that while Bengaluru fares better than several North Indian cities in terms of PM levels, the goal is to keep PM levels below 20. “Currently, the city’s PM emissions fluctuate. At times it is around 25 and can rise to as high as 75 during the summer,” he said.

Mr. Rao pointed out that green buildings have increasingly become more affordable over the years and remain aspirational, but there is a need to actively push circular economy principles.

“We need to think about how one industry’s waste or by-product can be used by another. Such innovations deserve greater visibility and support,” he said. He suggested that industry bodies such as the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) could create challenge funds or accelerators to showcase the best ideas.

The GBA Chief Commissioner indicated that the government is exploring incentives through building bylaws, zoning regulations, and possible awards for individuals, institutions, and companies that lead on sustainability. He proposed working with IGBC to develop a city-level green rating system aligned with Bengaluru’s climate targets as per the Climate Action Plan.

Mr. Rao urged builders to think beyond green outcomes and employ green construction processes as well, highlighting debris management as a growing concern amid rapid construction.