The city is facing a serious air pollution crisis, and experts say unregulated on-street parking plays a significant role. The Environment Status Report (ESR) for 2024-25, prepared by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri), points out that idling vehicles are key contributors to escalating levels of particulate matter in the city.
The report highlights that congested commercial areas, particularly markets, suffer from prolonged vehicle idling due to poor parking management. With no structured parking policies in place, vehicles often get stuck in traffic or circle around looking for spots. This behavior leads to increased emissions during peak evening hours.
According to Neeri’s analysis, particulate matter levels spike sharply after 6 PM as traders return home and traffic volume surges. Narrow roads combined with chaotic parking create choke points where emissions build up instead of dispersing.
Experts have noted that while moving vehicles do contribute to pollution, stationary or slow-moving cars emit a disproportionately high amount of pollutants per kilometer traveled. Frequent braking and acceleration add even more strain on air quality.
The ESR also underscores that without designated parking zones, vehicles spill onto road edges. This situation not only slows down traffic flow but also amplifies emission loads in densely populated urban areas.
To combat these issues, Neeri has called for an urgent implementation of a comprehensive on-street parking policy. Recommendations include clearly marked parking spaces, strict enforcement against illegal parking practices, and anti-idling regulations in high-traffic zones.
Additionally, promoting public transport and non-motorized mobility could help alleviate vehicular congestion. Urban planners argue that managing parking should now be seen as an environmental imperative.
If no action is taken soon, rising vehicle numbers combined with limited road space could worsen pollution levelsThe findings will be presented at the upcoming NMC general body meeting for further discussion.
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