Rourkela: Even as the toxic fumes emitted by the worn-out town buses operating on Steel City roads make life miserable for the commuters, the transport department officials hardly do anything to curb the menace, a report said.
The smoke released by these buses not only increases the level of air pollution, many people in the city, especially kids and asthma patients, suffer from respiratory disorders after inhaling impure air, said environmentalists. Though the department conducts raid once in a while, it hardly takes exemplary action against the wrongdoers which encourages bus owners to run their vehicles sans maintenance, they added.
According to regional transport office sources, 20 such small mini buses operate in the city but most of them emit smoke exceeding permissive limits. The department has so far not taken any action against the bus owners, it was learnt.
“The department collected fines from bus owners three months back following a raid. The bus owners’ association was also warned over periodical maintenance of bus engines. But they are not serious about it. We would raid polluting buses again and hold meetings with the association to control vehicular pollution,” Motor Vehicle Inspector PK Dash said.
Environmentalist Sangram Parida said the toxic fumes released by these vehicles disturb the photosynthesis process of plants causing withering of several of them. The premature decaying of the plant reduces oxygen in the atmosphere which is why many people in the city suffer from respiratory disorders, Parida pointed out.
This apart, the smoke generated by the old vehicles creates diseases in cattle as they take toxic fumes directly into their stomach during chewing of cud, he further said.
Meanwhile, resentment brewed over the inaction of the transport department. PNN
