Authorities chaff bad air with motor pollution check in Kohima

Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, APRIL 15

In view of the growing vehicular density in the state’s capital town, Kohima town, the Nagaland Pollution Control Board and the Kohima police on Friday conducted an ‘awareness’ drive on air pollution and checked vehicular gas and noise emissions outside the Civil Secretariat complex.
Personnel of the NPCB carried out emission tests on petrol vehicles with consent from the vehicle owners and drivers. 36 four-wheelers were tested, out of which 33 passed the prescribed emission standard while 3 failed. Form among 8 two-wheelers that were tested, only 3 passed and the rest failed the test.
According to the NPCB workers, one vehicle failed the notified limit but had in possession a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate from transport department!
RTO in the dock
Interestingly, some of the vehicle owners and drivers disclosed that the authorities at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Kohima had issued them PUC certificates without conducting any emission tests. This indicates that the smoke emission test, which is mandatory under the provision of Central Motor Vehicle Rules 115 of 1989, is not strictly enforced in the state.
Meanwhile, an NPCB scientist present at the drive, Akum Meren Imchen, informed that two noise level meter detectors have been set up; one at the Secretariat complex and the other at the High School junction. Data from the two facilities will be analysed in the laboratory to gauge the level of noise pollution from the two areas.
Imchen also informed that the NPCB had established two air stations to monitor the quality of the air in Kohima town. One is located at the old NST and the second opposite the Kohima War Cemetery for the past four years. Two air pollutants namely Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Particulate Matter (RSPM) are being monitored, he said. The monitoring of particulate matter is being carried out with a frequency of twice a week on average, he said.
The NPCB’s member-secretary, Rusovil John, also said during the occasion that the activity was being carried out as the NPCB was ‘also concerned with the air pollution, of which vehicular emission is higher in the town.’
Some measures that the NPCB has suggested to reducing air pollution in regard to vehicular emission are to
• keeping vehicles pollution, both gaseous and aural or noise, under control
• phasing out of ‘grossly’ polluting vehicles
• curbing fuel adulteration
• improvement of roads to reduce dust, and better traffic management to reduce congestion and emission.
• more awareness programmes on the subject; impact of pollution on the people and environment
In order to check the quantity of hazardous pollutants emitted in environment and keeping pollution levels within tolerable limits, the Government of India has ensured that each motor vehicle must be subjected to periodic PUC tests.
The PUC tests are conducted to check the quantity of a vehicle’s emission of harmful pollutants like CO2 and other strong hydrocarbons, which are capable of posing severe threat to the environment. The Government has made it mandatory for all motor vehicle users to carry a valid PUC certificate in the vehicle and produce it on demand, failing which, could result in penalty and traffic court proceedings.
A PUC certificate must mention the certificate serial number, vehicle license plate number, date of testing, expiry date and emission readings.
In the case of vehicles showing higher level of emissions than the prescribed limits the under Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, the registration number of such vehicles are to be reported to the RTO or DTO by the testing authorities immediately.
Kohima police adds
With the successful conduct of the pollution tests, DEF Kohima will be carrying out such exercises in the near future in order to enforce the pollution emission regulations.
A press release form the police stated on Friday: “With a view to create awareness for general public, few points are also highlighted in regard to vehicles plying with excessive thick black smoke which is posing health hazards to the citizens and the environment. Black smoke emissions is gas that spew from automobile and pollutes the environment with its combination of un-burnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which forms a photo chemical smog, acid deposition and towering CO levels causing respiratory deficiencies.”
Some of the main causes of exhaust emissions
• Dirty engines.
• Non-maintenance of engine regularly.
• Dirty fuel including water, engine oil and other contaminants.
• Driving attitude.
• Quality of workmanship.
• Use of poor quality lubricants.