Improving Emission Measurement Practices in Bangalore

Abstract

Bangalore is known as Silicon Valley or the IT capital of India and is home to many IT companies, startups, India headquarter for global companies, R&D centers, and regional delivery offices. Large number of employment opportunities in the city has resulted in migration of population from various metro cities and other parts of the country. Migration has resulted in increase in large scale construction activities and vehicle population, and a decline in green cover in the city. These factors have increased the air pollution levels in the city and adversely affected the environment and climatic conditions of the city. 2015 emission data for Bangalore highlights transportation sector as the major emitter of NOx, PM2.5, SO2, PM10, CO, and CO2. Rapid growth in automobiles has also resulted in massive congestions and have increased travel time during peak hours by about 162%. Expected social cost of congestion in Bangalore is about USD 5.92 billion, second highest in the country. COx, SOx and NOx emissions in Bangalore are well within the national limits as set by CPCB, but PM 2.5 and PM 10 particle emissions are almost double accepted levels and thus pose a severe threat to its citizens. At present, Bangalore has about 26 air quality monitoring stations of which about seven are Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) and rest of them are manual emission monitoring stations. Comparison of CAAQMS emissions data collected for residential zone (DTDC Victoria Road) and industrial zone (Peenya) show that residential zones have higher SPM levels while industrial zones have higher SO2 and NO2 emissions. Due to implementation of BS IV fuel standards in Bangalore in 2012, overall emission levels in Bangalore are declining. However, PM10 emissions have consistently remained more than double the accepted emission standards. Karnataka Government introduced Metro with the objective of reducing pollution and providing mass transportation system. First phase of metro was completed in Jun 2017, however, many of the sub sections of both purple and green line opened to public starting 2011 till 2017. The CAAQMS emission data for locations with metro stations show significant decline in SO2, marginal decline in PM10 and no change in NO2 emissions. Since first phase of metro became operational in multiple sub-phases and the project plan lacked creation of supporting ecosystem, the impact of Metro network on reducing air emission is limited. The data on impact of metro is limited as Bangalore at present has only 7 CAAQMS stations. Population of Bangalore city for 2018 is expected to be about 1.25 crores and as per IS 5182 standards, the number of CAAQMS stations required is 24 stations based on the populations size. Manual stations are prone to errors or manipulations and have capability to measure primarily 3 types of emissions. Only 2 locations in Bangalore have capability to track carbon emissions. For making a comprehensive emission control and reduction strategy, KPCSB needs reliable real time collection and monitoring of emissions data across multiple locations in Bangalore city. Existing systems are insufficient to track and provide minute and real time details and thus are ineffective in formulation of a comprehensive emission control strategy. Using Internet of Things (IOT) and Blockchains together, KPCSB can create viable solutions that can reduce air emissions in the city. IOT sensors are extremely useful in collecting real time data on a continuous basis and transferring this data to the data centers. Data collected through sensors is then verified in blockchains in a reliable and untampered manner. Using data analytics, the reports can generation information on type, & source of emission and help in forecasting of the pollution and weather patterns in different parts of the city. KPCSB can use this data to formulate short term and long term action plans. Policy solutions:- To create an ecosystem that supports use of IOT and Blockchain, a policy on defining and creating standardized system, processes, and equipment (IOT sensors) needs to be formulated. This will support implementation of such a network across the country in a standardized manner. Upcoming construction/real estate projects or mobile towers or new red lights or street lights or new industrial projects should install emission collection sensors at the very beginning of the construction stage. Designing & signing of standardized smart contracts with all major air polluter industries will help in levying of financial penalties as and when the contracts are breached or when the emission by the any of these stakeholders is above the defined standards/limits. Stakeholder from central and state government should be made part of distributed network and should mine the data i.e., verify the data and close the blockchains. These government bodies should include CPCB, Ministry of Environment, Forest, & Climate change, State Pollution control boards, state traffic police, and regional transport offices. PPPs can be formed between state government and the private players (such as telecom operators) to operate or maintain data centers Creating a system of incentive for public will make citizens more responsible and help in tracking data across the city. Other policy solutions:- Other policy solutions that can reduce air emission in the Bangalore include rapid expansion of metro across the country, setting up of electric vehicle charging points and other requisite infrastructure, replacing of diesel buses with electric buses, tax incentive on electric vehicles, expand and expedite development of CNG distribution (CGD) network, and impose strict financial and legal penalties for non-compliance of emission standards. IOT and Blockchains can enhance the effectiveness of the emission control strategies of the Government and adoption of these advance technology systems will support Government in achieving its agenda of controlling and reducing the rising air emissions in the city and the state.