Walk and Cycle for short distances: PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol urges local residents

A large replica of human lungs titled “Billboard That Breathes” installed by Waatavaran at Kharghar, was recently inaugurated by the PCMC Mayor, to highlight concerns over rising pollution in Kharghar-Taloja-Panvel areas

*PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol at the inauguration of “Billboard That Breathes” installation by Waatavaran, at kharghar.*

Kharghar/Navi Mumbai/PCMC: PCMC Mayor Dr Kavita Choutmal, who recently inaugurated a unique installation at Kharghar – “Billboard That Breathes”, was full of appreciation for the efforts of Waatavaran, the organisation behind the creative installation, and their continuous efforts to highlight environmental issues, especially the pollution crisis in the region.

During her address to the press and local residents gathered for the inauguration of the billboard Choutmol expressed her fervent desire to form an expert committee to study the deteriorating quality of air in Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel areas, creating a Clean Air Action Plan and framing stringent policies to penalise offending entities, namenly industrial units at the Taloja MIDC, that are found to be ignoring environmental norms.

Also read: PCMC Mayor Dr Kavita Choutmol inaugurates “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

She also stressed on the need for active contribution of local residents towards minimising pollution in every way possible, at a local level.

“The local community of Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel can help minimise the pollution by cutting down on the vehicular emissions at a local level. We cannot put a tab on the pollution caused by vehicles moving along the highways but at a local level, we can minimise their use to a huge extent.”

Walk and Cycle for short distances: PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol — (L to R): Journalist and Environmentalist Jaspal Singh Naol, PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol, Bhagwan Keshbhat, Founder – Waatavaran and Sayyed Akbar – Editor, Kokan Diary, at the Inauguration event of “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar.

“By cycling and walking more often for shorter distances, residents will help cut down vehicular emissions and also contribute to their own health”
PCMC Mayor – Dr. Kavita Choutmol

“For instance, residents of Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel can adopt environment friendly travel modes. They can use a cycle or even walk their way when moving around in the local vicinity. In doing so, they will be benefitted in two ways – one, they won’t be polluting the locality with vehicular emissions of their cars or motorcycles, and two, they will be adding a health routine to their daily lives, by both cycling and walking every day.” She said.

Choutmal will be pursuing the matte with all concerned authorities soon and coming up with a feasible action plan to tackle the pollution crisis in Kharghar Taloja and Panvel.

Local residents of Kharghar have been appreciative of the Mayor’s stand and are hopeful of seeing her words being put into action soon.

Advocate Shelly Panday, Kharghar, said, “We need passionate people like the PCMC Mayor to come up with feasible action plans to tackle such situations, and also engage with the local community to do their bit towards general issues, like the pollution crisis. We look forward to noticeable changes in the coming months.”