KSPCB plans air purifiers at key junctions as Bengaluru’s pollution levels surge

With PM2.5 levels rising and lakes turning increasingly contaminated, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is preparing a fresh set of measures to restore Bengaluru’s deteriorating air and water quality.

Bengaluru’s worsening air and water quality has prompted the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to draft a set of targeted measures aimed at countering the city’s escalating environmental challenges. With PM2.5 levels steadily increasing, officials warn that the current pollution trend could heighten respiratory illnesses among residents if left unaddressed.

KSPCB chairman P.M. Narendraswamy said the board is now holding discussions with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and environmental experts to determine immediate and long-term steps to control suspended particulate matter. He emphasised that the city’s transformation from a once-celebrated clean-air hub to a dust-laden urban space reflects years of neglected infrastructure.

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He recalled that Bengaluru earlier featured water fountains at major junctions, which naturally helped manage dust by adding moisture to the air. “Those simple, effective systems disappeared over time, and the pollution levels today clearly show the impact,” he said.

To tackle the growing dust concentration, KSPCB is exploring the installation of air purifiers at high-traffic junctions, particularly in areas where vehicle density is among the highest. Narendraswamy said previous pilot trials by the board delivered encouraging outcomes, prompting the renewed push for citywide deployment.

“We have already written to the CPCB seeking approval to install the purifiers. The proposal is currently under review. Once approved, we plan to place them at some of Bengaluru’s busiest intersections,” he added.

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The board is also examining additional measures to address the ongoing contamination of lakes and waterbodies, which continues to worsen due to unchecked inflow of pollutants.

KSPCB is expected to announce the final plan once the CPCB gives its clearance.