The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of a news article published on December 6, 2024 highlighting the alarming levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in Bengaluru, which were found to be nearly double the standards prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The NGT noted that the annual average NO2 concentration in 2023 in Bengaluru exceeded the WHO standards for 295 days, with the City Railway Station being the worst-hit area.
Other highly polluted areas included Hombegowda Nagar, Bapuji Nagar 2, and Peenya.
The Principal Bench comprising Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Judicial Member, and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member observed that exposure to excessive NO2 has severe health impacts, including the risk of asthma, airway inflammation, and respiratory irritation.
The NGT constituted a Joint Committee comprising the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the Regional Director, Integrated Regional Office, MoEF&CC, Bengaluru, to investigate the matter and submit a factual report within two months.
The Committee has been directed to visit the site, collect relevant information, and submit its report to the Registrar, Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai.
The NGT has also directed the Registry to transmit the record of the original application to the Southern Zonal Bench, Chennai, for further proceedings.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 24, 2025.