Pune News | PMC Suggests Measures Through Environmental Report As Pune’s Air Quality Faces Crisis Amid Urbanization & Rising Vehicle Numbers

Pune: Pune News | The serene city of Pune is grappling with a growing concern as urbanization and an increasing number of vehicles are significantly polluting its air. A recent report from the Environment Department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has highlighted the alarming situation, indicating that 2,55,757 new private vehicles were added in 2022, bringing the total number to a staggering 35,94,132 vehicles.

The “Environment Status Report 2022-23” presented by the PMC’s Environment Department to the Standing Committee provides an extensive assessment of various environmental factors affecting the city, including air quality, water, green areas, wildlife, electricity consumption, river pollution, transport system, and more.

Of particular concern is the air pollution data, which has raised the city’s inclusion in the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) list of 131 polluted cities across the country. Consequently, the central government has directed PMC to implement measures to mitigate air pollution, with support from the fifteenth finance commission. The goal is to reduce particulate matter (PM10) and ultra-fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels by 2025-26.

The report reveals data from 2019-20, stating that the city recorded 86.60 gigagrams/year of PM10 particles and 46.40 gigagrams/year of PM2.5 fine particles. PMC’s measurements for 2022 indicate higher quantities of both types of dust in Shivajinagar and Hadapsar areas, while the quantities have decreased in Katraj and Pashan.

Urbanization and the growing number of vehicles are primarily responsible for the rise in dust levels in Pune. Although new vehicle registrations declined in 2020 and 2021, 2022 witnessed a sharp increase, contributing to increased smoke emissions and, consequently, escalating PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter.

To combat air pollution, the report highlights the need to strengthen the public transport system and encourage its use. Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd. (PMP) currently operates 1,421 CNG buses and 458 e-buses, which has had a positive impact on reducing air pollution. However, the lack of recent bus purchases and limited empowerment of PMP has led citizens towards buying private vehicles, further exacerbating the issue.

Noteworthy Observations from the Environmental Report:

Vetal hill and Pashan lake area are home to 253 and 236 bird species, respectively.
Biogas generated from wet waste is utilized as fuel for PMP buses.
A plantation drive resulted in the planting of 21,000 trees at Uruli Devachi and Fursungi.
Electricity consumption reached 4,463.57 million units in 2021, escalating to 4,982.89 million units in 2022, with residential and industrial sectors accounting for the highest demand.
Speaking about the efforts to curb pollution, Mangesh Dighe, the Environment Officer of PMC, emphasized that funds from the 15th Finance Commission are being utilized to address air pollution with a target deadline of 2025-26. However, the impact of these measures may not be immediately noticeable due to the persistent growth in private vehicle numbers and urbanization.

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