Dist admin plans low-emission zone in Shivajinagar, Peth areas to curb air pollution

Pune: A low-emission zone (LEZ) in Shivajinagar and the Peth areas as part of efforts to control rising air pollution levels is under active consideration. The district administration is working on a proposal wherein vehicles that emit higher levels of pollution may pay a special pollution charge to enter these areas.Vehicles with Bharat Stage III or older engines may have to pay a daily pollution charge to enter. Those that do not pay the charge in advance could face penalties for violating the rules, officials said.The proposal was discussed at a meeting on Friday by district collector Jitendra Dudi,Pune municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, chief engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar, senior officials from various civic departments and experts in traffic planning.Dudi told TOI that it is an effort to control rising pollution in the core areas. "An inter-departmental meeting was held with officials from PMC, traffic police, RTO, MPCB and transport experts to chart out the proposal. The process will begin with consultations with stakeholders after which PMC is expected to prepare a detailed plan,'' he said.Ram added that the proposed low-emission zone is part of the city's eight-point mobility plan prepared in consultation with urban planners. "Under the plan, we are focusing on improving pedestrian infrastructure, overall traffic mobility and reviving cycling routes. We will introduce a pay-and-park system, improve walkability and increase the fleet of public buses. The low-emission zone is another component of this plan. In certain areas, older and more polluting vehicles will not be allowed. We are collecting vehicle data from the RTO to identify such vehicles. The proposal has been discussed with the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and a workable model within the next two months is expected," Ram said.Officials also discussed the possibility of extending the restriction to BS IV vehicles in later phases and expanding the low-emission zone to other parts of the city. Enforcement of the system through camera-based monitoring was also proposed.The meeting also discussed measures such as making footpaths more walkable, strengthening public transport, increasing bus services and promoting cleaner mobility options.Authorities said a detailed implementation plan will now be prepared by the departments as part of the effort to improve air quality and create a healthier urban environment.What Do Studies Say?Emissions On The Road I Research has identified vehicular emissions as a major contributor to air pollution in Pune. A 2020 study found that around 46% of PM2.5 particulate pollution in the Pune metropolitan region is caused by vehicles. These fine particles are extremely harmful to human healthMost Polluting I Another survey in 2023 showed that about 70% of petrol, diesel, and CNG vehicles in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad still run on Bharat Stage-IV or older engine technology. While the Centre has progressively tightened emission norms through the Bharat Stage standards, Bharat Stage VI engines currently represent the least polluting technology.Old Vehicles I Studies cited in the meeting noted that a car registered before 2000 can produce pollution equivalent to nearly 11 modern Bharat Stage (BS) VI cars, while an older truck can emit as much pollution as about 14 modern trucks. PM emissions from a BS VI diesel car are nearly 90% lower than those from a BS III diesel car