Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar directs urgent measures to curb rising air pollution in Bengaluru

Amid growing concerns over deteriorating air quality in the State capital, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has instructed the Chief Secretary to constitute an expert committee to recommend immediate interventions to prevent Bengaluru from heading towards a pollution crisis.

The direction came in response to an appeal by MLC and State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority Vice-chairperson Dinesh Gooligowda, who cautioned that Bengaluru could soon face a situation similar to Delhi if urgent measures are not taken.

In his letter, Mr Gooligowda highlighted the rapid growth in vehicular numbers — over 1.23 crore registered vehicles for a population of around 1.47 crore, with an average of 2,563 new vehicles being added each day. More than 84 lakh of these are two-wheelers, he stated.

While the city’s Air Quality Index currently ranges between 50 and 70 (‘moderate’ category), experts have warned that pollution levels could reach the ‘severe’ category within the next decade. Children and the elderly are already reporting increased respiratory distress, allergies, asthma and cardiovascular ailments linked to pollution, according to the letter.

Mr Gooligowda sought the formation of a high-level panel comprising environmental scientists, traffic and mobility experts, public health specialists and officials from key departments to propose actionable strategies.

The Deputy Chief Minister has directed officials to initiate urgent steps through the departments concerned.