The "Garden City" of Bengaluru and the industrial hub of Bellary are facing a significant environmental challenge as air quality continues to deteriorate daily. Experts warn that while Bengaluru’s atmosphere is geographically different from the toxic winters of Delhi, the rising levels of Particulate Matter (PM) over the last five years are a cause for serious alarm.
The "New Delhi" of the South?
Recent data shows Bengaluru’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering around 170, a staggering 20–25% increase in pollution over the last five years. While Delhi’s AQI has crossed the "Severe" mark of 580, the gap between the two cities is narrowing. A decade ago, the difference in pollution levels was 300%; today, that margin is shrinking rapidly as Bengaluru begins to compete with the toxic air of Mumbai and Kolkata.
Understanding PM: The Invisible Killer
The primary culprit in Karnataka’s air is PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers). In Bengaluru, the current PM2.5 concentration is approximately 64 µg/m³—which is 4.2 times higher than the WHO-recommended safety limit of 15 µg/m³.
The Main Contributors:
- Vehicular Exhaust: With over 1.23 crore vehicles now on Bengaluru’s roads, transport emissions account for 42% of the city's total pollution.
- Traffic Hotspots: Areas like Silk Board and Whitefield consistently record AQI levels 30% higher than the city average.
- Industrial Activity: In cities like Bellary and Belagavi, heavy industry and mining contribute to even higher local AQI readings.
