Pollution at Teen Hath Naka 300% higher than normal: Study

Teen Hath Naka in Thane has earned for itself the notoriety of being the most congested and the most polluted traffic junction in the city after a recent study by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and the Thane traffic police.

The study has found that the level of pollution around the junction was 300% higher than the certified limit. Therefore, Thanekars have been urged to switch off their vehicle engines while waiting at this junction.

The joint study was conducted to find out the pollution levels at Teen Hath Naka, the most congested junction in Thane. The findings have rung alarm bells and forced the authorities to take immediate measures to curb the rising levels of pollution.

According to the pollution department of TMC, which conducted the survey using its air quality monitoring system, the levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide were out of limits at this junction. "Normally, the air quality is quite low near chowks due to traffic. But in the case of Teen Hath Naka, it is more than prescribed limits," said Manisha Pradhan from TMC's pollution department. Even suspended particles in the air around the naka were three-to-four times more, she added.

According to the TMC pollution department, the reason for this high level of pollution was the traffic signals at this junction. These very old signals take about three minutes to turn green, thereby forcing motorists to wait that long.

"Motorists keep their vehicle engines running, which adds to the increasing pollution," said another official from the department.

Hence, to commemorate World Environment Week, the Thane traffic police have taken the initiative to start a PUC (pollution under control) centre near the junction. "Vehicles will be checked for their PUC certificates at the junction and any motorist found not having the same will be asked to get one from this centre," said Rashmi Karandikar, DCP, Thane traffic police.