Mumbai: RTO to start drive to check pollution on Worli Seaface road, Sealink

The NGT directed the drive be conducted by the RTOâÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088to help the residents troubled by traffic on BWSL

Motorists using the Worli Seaface road and Bandra Worli Sealink, you have been warned! The Transport Commissioner's Office - based on directions from the National Green Tribunal - has issued a new diktat to the RTO to embark on a drive against air and noise pollution.

Out of the blue?
The origin for the drive is rooted in a case years ago, when a Worli-based activist had approached the National Green Tribunal regarding the air and noise pollution along the Worli Seaface that was troubling residents, suggesting that the Bandra Worli Sealink had led to an uptick in traffic and accompanying problems.

After hearing both the sides, in July this year, the NGT passed an order along with instructions in the matter, following which, a meeting between Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) authorities and Transport Commissioner's Office was held to discuss implementation. On September 29, the MPCB wrote also a letter to the commissioner to flesh out more details.

Plan of action
To that end, on November 29, the transport commissioner also issued a circular about it (A copy is in possession of mid-day). It states, "The Transport Commissioner Office officials incharge of the Worli Seaface are instructed that they should start a drive to check the vehicles that are doing air and noise pollution and action as per law should be taken against those who are responsible for the same. (sic)"

Sources from the Commissioner Office said that the drive will be kicked off soon.