Editor,
Vapours from petrol pumps pose a serious health risk to the public as highlighted in various media outlets recently. It is very alarming that those vapours can cause life threatening diseases such as cancer in humans.
In this regard, the Central Pollution Control Board had imposed hefty fines to the tune of crores of rupees upon various companies for not installing pollution control devices viz., Vapour Recovery Systems in the NCR Delhi region.
Now the interesting thing is whether our very own Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) is initiating such measures in our State or waiting for the orders from the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya to act.
Another aspect is air pollution. Air pollution by commercial and private vehicles plying on the road has become rampant in Shillong presently. Heavy commercial vehicles and other old vehicles including those with ML-01 registrations are aggravating the situation.
If one is required to verify these claims, the only requisite is to get up in the morning and take a walk on the city roads, especially the highways passing through the city. Morning walk has become unhealthy as people are exposed to deadly black smoke and particulate matter emitted from such vehicles.
Is the MSPCB getting up late in the morning? Where is the enforcement inspector to regulate/restrict those vehicles which have outlived or require to be phased out? It would be not surprising if they start imposing fines on those violators, the resultant revenue earned for the government would be massive.
E Sangma,
Shillong-793001
