Two-year project to check pollution

By J. S. Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD, OCT. 30. The USAID agency has identified Hyderabad as a demonstration project for reduction in greenhouse gas pollution. The Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad signed an agreement with the USAID recently. All the expenses for the two- year project will be borne by the USAID. The MCH contribution will be only in kind.

The exercise, which is part of the Global Environment Project, will focus on transport systems which impact directly on the environment. It will address both air and noise pollution in the city, but air quality remains the immediate concern.

The USAID has identified the triangular area between Ameerpet, Khairatabad and Greenlands for the project study. The number of observation stations to be set up and the kind of intervention methods required are being worked out.

According to Mr. P. Randhir Reddy, Additional Commissioner, Traffic and Transport, MCH, various methods are being considered for reducing the air pollution levels in the city. They include junction improvement, signal coordination, reducing side friction and controlling ingress and exit points. These measures are expected to streamline the traffic flow leading to reduction in air pollution. Other aspects such as alternative fuel and their practicability will also be considered, Mr. Randhir Reddy said.

At the end of the project the drop in the pollution levels will be clearly known. Basing on this outcome, the project would be extended to other metropolitan cities in the country.

Exhaust gas emission from vehicular traffic is the main cause of air pollution in the city. The pollutants emitted by vehicular traffic account for about 60 to 70 per cent of the total pollution load in the urban atmosphere. According to a study of the pollution load by different types of vehicles, the two wheelers's share percentage is 56.2, three wheelers 9.1, petrol cars 12, diesel cars 2, buses 1.5, trucks 18.9 and others 0.3.

Authorities are hopeful that with the implementation of the USAID-sponsored project there will be substantial drop in air pollutant emissions and improvement in the general air quality in the urban agglomeration.

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