BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has launched a new helpline to receive complaints against vehicles causing acute air pollution. Through this novel initiative, the KSPCB has empowered the public to police polluting vehicles and report them to the helpline (080 25589114). Though the anti-pollution campaign was launched on January 4, so far the response has been dismal.The KSPCB went to town announcing cash prizes varying from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000 depending upon the nature of calls, seriousness of the complaints and veracity of the facts. The Board had publicised the helpline through different media and the response was encouraging on the first day. Nearly 21 complaints were registered by the public on that day, but the campaign lost momentum within a week.Nandakumar, Senior Environmental Officer, KSPCB, who manned the help desk in the first week, told Express: “There was still no clarity on who should be given the cash prizes. One woman informed us about six private vehicles causing pollution. We are yet to fix the guidelines as to who should be awarded and within what time frames. The Transport Department will have to investigate the cases and inform the Board about the action taken.” The Board officials, however, are confident that their drive will pick up soon. “There is no separate phone connection for the help desk, and we are using our office phone number to receive complaints. Most of the time, it will be engaged and there are chances that the complainants might get disappointed by this. We need a dedicated phone to address this problem,” says Murali Krishnaiah, second divisional assistant, KSPCB, who is in charge of help desk now.Express spoke to Salma, a housewife, who registered six complaints via the helpline. “So far, I didn’t get any feedback from the Board. I complained about two luggage autos, two tourist buses and two cars after watching the KSPCB campaign on TV,” she said.Chiranth, a design engineer, complained about two autos on Cubbon Road. “I informed the help desk, but didn’t get any reply. I am not keen on the cash prize, but want to see my city free from air and noise pollution,” he said. Hemanthkumar, Joint Commissioner, Transport Department, says, “I have not received any complaints or information from the Board. I don’t have any information about the guidelines. The complaint list has to be sent directly to me, but I have not received it.”The Ramanagaram Town Police have registered a case of negligence against the yard owner.
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