Vehicular emissions are emerging as a key source of air pollution in the industrial belt of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh, which houses Asia’s biggest transport union having around 10,000 vehicles in its fold.
With more than 90 per cent of the state’s industry confined to the industrial cluster, thousands of diesel-guzzling vehicles criss-cross its various roads on a daily basis. Carrying industrial cargo, besides quarry material, the vehicles emit noxious fumes comprising pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds — a leading driver of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases worldwide.
What is worrisome is the fact that BBN’s ambient air quality had soared to as high as 394 in the past. Rated as “very poor”, the deteriorating air quality can cause respiratory illnesses on prolonged exposure, especially among the vulnerable population.
The ambient air usually remains between 200 and 300 though it worsens at times. It is far from being considered healthy, especially for the sensitive population, as toxic fumes often cause irritation in eyes.
In a bid to identify major pollutants, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) had assigned the task of preparing “source apportion-based action plans for restoring air quality in non-attainment cities like Baddi in respect of PM10, PM2.5 and other notified pollutants” to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in 2023. The scientists were tasked with identifying source of air pollution and suggest remedial measures.
The exhaustive study spanning various sectors like industry, transportation, anthropological activities, etc, identified vehicle emission as a significant contributor to pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, particulate matter 10 and PM2.5. Thousands of diesel vehicles comprising trucks, buses, light commercial vehicles and cars were found contributing significantly to pollutants like PM10, PM2.5 and nitrous oxide.
In a bid to contain these noxious fumes, which threaten the health of residents, the IIT scientists had recommended slew of control measures while roping in other departments like transport, civic bodies, public works, etc. A key suggestion was adopting advanced technological intervention like retrofitting diesel vehicles with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The step, insisted the scientists, can considerably reduce PM2.5 emission by 40 per cent and offer sizable respite from the vehicular emission.
Seeking the cooperation of various stakeholders, industries suggested the study should encourage employing trucks and heavy-duty vehicles of stage-VI or IV with DPF for transportation activities. Transitioning to electronic vehicles (EVs) in the two- and three-wheeler category, besides passenger cars, was also suggested as an effective step to contain emission of noxious fumes.
The source apportionment results show of the 1.5 tonnes per day emission of PM2.5 from vehicles, about 70 per cent comes from diesel vehicles, especially trucks and buses.
The revelation stresses the need for adopting stricter steps like shifting at least 50 per cent registered automobiles to electric vehicles. Though a target to achieve the same by end of 2024 was suggested, the recommendations remained confined to files defeating the very purpose of undertaking the exhaustive study.
The recommendation was specifically made for two-wheelers, three-wheeler and passenger cars. A suitable subsidy or tax break was also suggested for the individuals opting for EVs. In a bid to facilitate the transition, setting up charging infrastructure at multiple places in consonance with the Ministry of Petroleum guidelines, to avoid long charging period for two-wheelers, was also suggested.
Thought the Himachal Pradesh Government provides a 50% subsidy on electric vehicles through the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Startup Yojana, the response to EV transition has been limited.
Since emissions from in-use vehicles also depend on the maintenance and upkeep of vehicles, it was suggested that each vehicle manufacturing company should have its authorised service centres in sufficient numbers to cater to the vehicle users. The automobile manufacturing company-owned service centres (AMCOSC) should be fully equipped for complete inspection and maintenance of vehicles ensuring that vehicles conform to emission norms and fuel economy after servicing.
Every vehicle should undergo an annual thorough check-up and compliance with pollution control devices from an authorised centre.
Though the study points towards restricting plying and phasing out 10-year-old diesel-run commercial vehicles, the state has not banned plying of such vehicles. If diesel-run vehicles are found fit they can ply beyond 15 years though the fee for passing such vehicles is higher. Such vehicles require higher maintenance and regular calibration of equipment to ensure their emissions are within the permissible limits.
The study also recommended expediting the installation of weigh-in-motion bridges and machines at all entry points to Baddi to curb the practice of overloading by vehicles. In a bid to ensure compliance, random checks on suspicious heavily loaded vehicles and imposing severe penalty on those violating stipulated load should be undertaken.
With a half-baked approach of the government, the deteriorating air quality of state’s industrial hub will fail to improve unless tangible measures are put in place to address the source of pollution.
