Synopsis
Karnataka's Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao urges the Transport Minister to prioritize electric vehicle procurement to combat pollution in Bengaluru, aiming to prevent a crisis akin to that of Delhi-NCR. He emphasizes the need for immediate action and policy reform to enhance public transport and reduce vehicle emissions.Key Takeaways
- Karnataka Health Minister advocates for electric vehicles.
- Concern over pollution levels rising in Bengaluru.
- Proposal to restrict operations to electric autos, cabs, and buses.
- High vehicle density and population exacerbating pollution.
- Urgent policies needed to transition from traditional fuels.
Bengaluru, Feb 4 (NationPress) The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, on Tuesday urged his colleague, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, to ensure that only electric vehicles (EVs) are procured to avert Bengaluru from reaching pollution levels akin to those of major cities in North India.
In a letter addressing this concern, Minister Rao highlighted, “Action is imperative before Bengaluru becomes as infamous as Delhi-NCR for its pollution.”
He noted that emissions from conventional fuels pose a global challenge, with well-established detrimental effects on public health.
As a solution, Minister Rao suggested that only electric autos, cabs, taxis, goods carriers, and solid waste collection vehicles be allowed to operate in Bengaluru.
He also underscored the importance of acquiring only electric buses for intra-city transportation.
“This is the position of the Health Department, and I urge you to make the necessary decision,” he stated.
Bengaluru, being a metropolitan area, grapples with significant pollution due to the high number of vehicles on its streets. The dense population exacerbates the situation, placing residents at greater risk of air pollution.
Furthermore, the city’s geographical setting and climatic factors complicate the problem, as noted by Minister Rao.
“Our generation must take charge of reducing air pollution to lessen environmental harm, and the government is responsible for this initiative.
“Promoting public transport is vital. Alongside this initiative, it is essential to boost the uptake of electric vehicles. When developing policies for transportation infrastructure, transitioning away from traditional fuels is not merely a choice but a crucial requirement that must be pursued with urgency,” he asserted.
Official data reveals that as of November 2024, the number of private two-wheelers and cars exceeded 1.05 crore, with over 1.20 crore vehicles present on the city roads.
From January to October 2024, 1.25 lakh new private cars were registered in Bengaluru.
As of September 2024, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation operated a fleet of 6,340 vehicles, including electric buses.
