City buses continue to pollute the air in Visakhapatnam

Unlike the good old days when Visakhapatnam was considered to be a relatively less polluted city, vehicles and industries releasing large amounts of air pollutants are common sights nowadays. While the growing vehicular density has been causing major pollution related concerns, the old vehicles. with their conventional gas emission systems, have added further to the woes. The problem is more pronounced in the case of old RTC buses which can be sited quite frequently emitting worrying amounts pollutants.

Numerous locales in the city, which witness a high traffic density, have many outdated buses traversing across them while causing air pollution. The emissions from these vehicles are not only contributing to deteriorating the city’s air quality index but are also causing a nuisance to other commuters who come in the gases’ firing line. “To avoid exposure the harmful pollutants released by the RTC buses, I can’t help but turn my head away when they pass by me on the road,” says Shahbaaz, a citizen of Visakhapatnam.

“It is high time that the concerned authorities take necessary actions to keep this menace in check. In addition to buses, many other autorickshaws and two-wheelers too can be seen emitting high amounts of smoke. Pollution check systems must be stationed at regular intervals on roads and the vehicles that violate the norms must be seized,” shares Prabhakar Rao, a senior denizen of the city.

While the problem of air pollution caused by buses is prevalent in many cities, Visakhapatnam can certainly lead the way by seizing old models and introducing more buses that are eco-friendly.