Govt working on pollution control, AQI to be assessed in various parts of B'luru: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru: Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre has said that the state government was focusing on preventing the state capital from converting into a gas chamber like New Delhi and would soon call a meeting of all 28 legislators to discuss the issue.
The minister, who chaired a meeting of government officers held at the request of senior BJP MLA from Rajajinagar Suresh Kumar in Bengaluru on Thursday, said admitted that pollution level was rising in Bengaluru. He also called upon elected representatives to sideline ideological differences and join hands to control pollution.
Suresh Kumar complained that cases of children with breathing problems were increasing in his constituency due to air pollution and dust on the streets. “As doctors are advising citizens to shift to the outskirts of the city to overcome the health problem, the government needs to take urgent measures to deal with the issue,” the legislator urged.
Khandre, who responded, said that air quality index (AQI) was being assessed in 11 locations of Bengaluru and at 13 traffic units. “Notices will be issued to institutes responsible for rise in air pollution if the AQI crosses the 100-mark. The institutes will be directed to take steps to control the pollution. Also, cases will be filed against companies violating the rules regarding air pollution,” he clarified.
He directed officials to form awareness committees with the support of various departments and local organizations to control the problem of single-use plastic, as garbage disposal too has become a major problem in Bengaluru.
The Environment Department was asked to provide information on the number of waste treatment plants across Karnataka, the capacity of the units and the quantity of liquid waste treated in the units.
The minister added that a meeting of all elected representatives and heads of prominent institutions in Bengaluru would be held soon under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Bengaluru City Development DK Shivakumar to discuss prevention of pollution.
MLA Suresh Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Meenakshi Negi, Chief Conservator of Forests Kumar Pushkar, Environment Department Chief Secretary Srinivasulu and others were present at the meeting.
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Mangaluru: Special trains to Chennai for Vishu festival
Mangaluru: To clear extra passenger rush during the Vishu festival, the Southern Railway has announced special train services between Mangaluru Central and Chennai Egmore.
According to an official release, Train No. 06126 Mangaluru Central-Chennai Egmore Special will depart Mangaluru Central at 4:00 pm on April 6 and 13, reaching Chennai Egmore at 10:30 a.m the next day.
In the return direction, Train No. 06125 Chennai Egmore-Mangaluru Central Special will leave Chennai Egmore at 2:00 pm on April 7 and 14 and arrive at Mangaluru Central at 6:50 am the following day.
The train will have two AC two-tier, eight AC three-tier, six sleeper class, four general second class coaches, one Divyangjan-friendly coach, and one luggage-cum-brake van.
In a seperate announcement, the southern railway also announced special service between between Bengaluru Cantonment and Dr. MGR Chennai Central to manage the extra rush of passengers.
Train No. 06545 will depart from Bengaluru Cantonment at 08:05 am on Thursday, 9th April and is scheduled to reach Chennai Central at 3:00 pm on the same day. The return service, Train No. 06546, will leave Chennai Central at 4:45 pm on the same day and reach Bengaluru Cantonment at 11:00 pm.
