Date:15/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011551640100.htm

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Smog hits morning traffic in Chennai

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Motorists and pedestrians found it difficult to move on roads as smog reduced visibility on Bhogi day on Monday morning. The problem remained till around 8.30 a.m. making driving a harrowing experience.

Several people, who were on the road early in the day, said they witnessed near-miss accident situations.

Despite overnight patrolling and awareness campaigns to avoid Bhogi bonfires, many people were seen burning waste and discarded items in many parts of the city.

According to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board officials, their campaign against burning rubber, tyres and plastics had paid off. “There was a lot of improvement this year. We had 25 patrol teams that included police who patrolled the streets from 10 p.m. till 7 a.m. on Monday. We seized tyres from a location. In all other places it was generally mats, old clothes and paper,” a senior Board official said.

“We have collected samples and are awaiting results.”

A Meteorological department official in the airport said that it was normal to experience fog for five to seven days in January and February. This year, rigorous canvassing against bonfires ensured that visibility was up to 100 to 200 metre as against a couple of years ago, when it was up to 50 metre, he said. But that did not appear enough as several flights from and to the Chennai airport were delayed.