Karnataka pollution board begins scrubber installation at major polluters

Scrubbers go live at industrial units

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has started installing scrubbers at major industrial units across Bengaluru. The move targets brick kilns, chemical plants, and other high-emission facilities that have long contributed to the city's deteriorating air quality.

Officials confirmed that the installation process began earlier this week. The scrubbers are designed to trap particulate matter and toxic gases before they are released into the atmosphere. KSPCB chairperson R. Lakshmi said the board has identified 45 priority units in the first phase.

Why the sudden action

Bengaluru's air quality index has regularly crossed the 'poor' mark over the past two years. Data from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre shows that particulate matter levels in industrial zones are consistently above the national safety standard.

Local residents in areas such as Peenya, Whitefield, and Yelahanka have filed repeated complaints about respiratory issues and visible smog. The board's action also follows a Karnataka High Court directive from March that asked the state to enforce emission norms more strictly.

Industrial response

Several industry associations have welcomed the move but raised concerns about compliance costs. The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce said small-scale units may struggle to afford the technology without subsidies. The board has assured that it will provide technical guidance and is exploring financial support through state pollution control funds.

Some units have already begun retrofitting their chimneys. A brick kiln owner in Doddaballapur said the scrubber installation cost around Rs 3 lakh per unit but added that it was necessary to avoid closure notices.

What this means for Bengaluru's air

Environmental experts say scrubbers alone will not solve the city's pollution problem. Vehicular emissions and construction dust remain the largest contributors to Bengaluru's smog. However, targeting industrial hotspots is a critical first step.

The KSPCB plans to expand the scrubber programme to 120 units by the end of 2026. It has also started random inspections at unlisted factories to ensure no unit bypasses the new norms.

Residents in affected zones have reported a slight improvement in air quality near the plants where scrubbers are already operational. But officials caution that consistent monitoring will be needed to sustain the gains.

The next phase will focus on textile dyeing units and pharmaceutical plants in the city's outskirts. The board is also developing a real-time emissions dashboard that will be made public later this year.