Bengaluru: A new initiative launched by the UK Catapult Network and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Government of Karnataka, will help transform Church Street in Bengaluru into a green haven for pedestrians. Under the Clean Air Street initiative, the entire street will be closed to motor vehicles every weekend for three months starting 7 November in an effort to demonstrate innovative ways of combating air pollution.
Businesses on the street will be allowed to extend their seating outdoors temporarily, in line with social distancing norms, thereby encouraging patrons to stay safe whilst enjoying cleaner air. While the street will be closed for motorised traffic, the area will be open to green forms of transportation and transformed into a demonstration area for clean air innovations. The initiative is aimed at reprioritising clean mobility and highlighting the benefits it brings. The project will also serve as a showcase for innovative UK and Indian solutions to tackle climate change.
The Indian Institute of Science - one of the partners in this initiative - will be carrying out research to gauge the impact on the quality of life for local residents as well as the economic impact on businesses. Two of the UK’s leading technology centres – Energy Systems Catapult and Connected Places Catapult - that form part of the Catapult Network - will work with partners to measure the difference in air quality after the intervention and also work with electric vehicle innovators to increase citizen awareness and evaluate their experiences through test rides.
Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said: “The launch of the Clean Air Street Initiative is an example of India’s forward movement on climate action, and it shows what we can do when we work together. The UK, as COP26 President, is committed to join forces with all countries, with civil society, business, and with individuals, to inspire action ahead of the conference in November 2021. We owe it to our children to use this tough year to pause, reflect and build back better.”
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British Deputy High Commissioner for Karnataka and Kerala, Jeremy Pilmore-Bedford, said: “The launch of the Clean Air Street initiative in Bengaluru could not have come at a more important time. The Covid lockdowns here and across the globe made us all appreciate the importance and beauty of clean air and skies. The next year is a crucial year for our climate with the UK hosting COP 26 in November 2021. I am confident that UK-Karnataka collaboration on climate action can deliver substantial progress towards reducing emissions and helping to build back better and greener.”
Commissioner for Directorate of Urban and Land Transport, V. Manjula IAS, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to prove that targeted activities to reduce motor vehicle traffic can help reduce pollution, improve quality of life and be beneficial to local businesses.”
The Clean Air Street initiative is part of the wider Innovating for Clean Air (IfCA) programme that is being rolled out in phases across Bengaluru. Funded by the UK government’s Newton Fund and delivered by Energy Systems, Connected Places and Satellite Applications Catapults with matched resources from partners in India, the programme supports UK and Indian firms to develop innovations to improve air quality and tackle pollution at the source through supporting the transition to electric vehicles.
