In this southern city, vehicles contribute more than 40 percent to air pollution, and air quality has been steadily declining over the years
Delhi may have the worst pollution in the country, but the air quality in Bengaluru -- once called India's air-conditioned city -- has taken a beating in recent years, because of its millions of polluting motor vehicles.
In this southern city, vehicles contribute more than 40 percent to air pollution, and air quality has been steadily declining over the years.
A group called 'Green Dreams for the Planet,' is asking the southern city's drivers to make a tiny change to their driving habits, which could result in significantly improving air quality: "Turn off your engines at stop lights." "More than 14 percent of greenhouse gases globally, are from emissions from vehicles," CB Ramkumar, who heads the group, told NDTV. "Now, obviously, even if we can change or reduce that by two or three percent, we've achieved a hell of a lot."
Green Dreams is planning to have volunteers present at 15 busy traffic intersections of the city for three days, starting today, to ask people to turn off their engines as they wait for a traffic light to turn green.
"I really appreciate this initiative, I always do it," says Swati, a daily commuter. "Even if I'm sitting in the back, I always ask the driver to switch off the engine."
For Balu, a veteran scooter rider, it's easy. "I switch off the engine because it has a self-start button. I've done this every day for the past 36 years with my two-wheeler."