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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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
