Bengaluru Deputy CM orders expert panel to tackle rising air pollution

Deputy CM Shivakumar orders expert panel to curb Bengaluru’s rising air pollution after MLC Dinesh Gooligowda's appeal warning city could face Delhi-like crisis

In a decisive move to safeguard the city from escalating air pollution, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has directed the Chief Secretary to constitute an expert panel to devise urgent measures. The order comes in response to an appeal by MLC Dinesh Gooligowda, Vice Chairman of the State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, who raised alarm over Bengaluru’s deteriorating air quality.

Gooligowda warned that unchecked pollution could push Bengaluru into a crisis similar to Delhi’s, urging immediate intervention. Acting on his concerns, Shivakumar instructed departments to collaborate under a high-level committee comprising environmental scientists, traffic experts, public health specialists, and senior officials. The panel is expected to recommend strategies to curb vehicular emissions, strengthen monitoring systems, and protect vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

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The scale of the challenge is stark. Bengaluru currently has over 1.23 crore registered motor vehicles, nearly matching its population of 1.47 crore. On average, 2,563 new vehicles are added daily, with two-wheelers alone accounting for more than 84 lakh. Experts caution that this relentless surge could push the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI), now in the ‘moderate’ range of 50–70, into ‘severe’ levels within the next decade.

Health impacts are already visible, with rising cases of respiratory illnesses, asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular problems linked to pollution. Civic authorities have been urged to prioritize sustainable transport, expand green cover, and enforce stricter emission norms.

Shivakumar’s directive signals a shift toward proactive governance, aiming to prevent Bengaluru from sliding into a full-blown environmental emergency. The expert panel’s recommendations are expected to shape a comprehensive action plan, balancing urban growth with public health and environmental sustainability.

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