Population growth declined from 7.17% in
1941 to 2.2% in 1991. The main reasons can be attributed to closure of industries
and deteriorating environmental conditions. The Master Plan of the city has expired
in 1991. Although, the new plan is under preparation. lack of planning, congestion,
encroachments and deteriorated environmental conditions are predominantly visible
in the city.
The city is showing signs of decay with many large industrial
units facing closure and there is steady deterioration in infrastructure facilities.
The growth of the city is decelerated in the past two decades and the immigration
to the city has become negligible.
The inndustrial areas are in the
heart of the city with residential areas on either side. The risks of pollution
and impacts from industries are obvious.
In general, most of the
housing localities in Kanpur are marred with unhygienic living conditions and
lack of civic amenities. There are about 296 identified slums in Kanpur having
a total population of about 5 lakhs. Lack of civic services, unhygienic living
conditions coupled with increase in housing stock deficit gave rise to slum dwellings
and its population. The urban infrastructure is not satisfactory enough to bring
homogenous development in new areas. The growth of housing stock is not keeping
in pace with the growth of population. The city of Kanpur is plagued with frequent
power failures. It is one of the major factors affecting the quality of life even
in the areas earmarked as good quality housing areas. As per the socio-economic
survey conducted by the Kanpur Development Authority, about 67% of the households
in Kanpur live in single room or portion thereof, 21 % in two room dwelling, 6
% in three room dwelling and only 3 % households in dwelling units having 4 rooms
or more.
The city has
296 identified slums with population over 5 lakhs. The slums, since have no sewerage
and other infrastructure facilities, pose severe environmental problems.
Severe sanitation problems in slum areas
The existing air quality in core areas is 5 to 6 times higher
than the standards. About 60% of the city has air pollution problems. City encounters
severe dust and smoke problems and the prescribed limit of 500 µg/m3
in terms of SPM is often exceeded in many locations in the city. Due to impact
of vehicular pollution, air quality at major road crossings exceeds the norms
of SPM and lead. About 0.2 million petrol/diesel driven vehicles are plying on
the roads contributing to 142 MT of pollutants per day. Badly maintained roads,
mixed traffic pattern, road encroachments, apart from meter gauge railway track
traversing the city length aggravate the impact of the vehicular pollution. Noise
levels are alarmingly high in commercial areas, far exceeding the prescribed limits.
Residential and silence zones are also marginally exceeding the safety norms.
Traffic congestion - A regular feature
Smoke emissions and noise from diesel driven tempos, which constitutes
the major public transport system in Kanpur, causes nuisance to the commuters
as well as population living along the roadside. The city lacks adequate road
network for providing flexibility for traffic movement especially for trips from
north to south of city and for cross movement within the city. The highway in
the heart of the city has large volume of through traffic that has nothing to
do with the city. Also, the highway is posing noise and air pollution problems.
The existing meter gauge railway line is leading to traffic blocks and air pollution
problems due to increased idling time of vehicles at intersection and traffic
congestion. The concentration of lead was found exceeding the standards at some
of the busy road intersections in the city. The existing wholesale markets and
the truck and bus terminus in the heart of the city are posing traffic problems.
Use of coal, wood , cow-dung etc. in slums abadis, LIG colonies, slum settlements
along the railway yard create localised smoke problems effecting visibility and
irritation to eyes. The problem is more severe during winters due to stable wind
conditions.
The city has inadequate transport network and traffic
and transportation system leading to considerable air pollution problems.
The M.G. rail track passing along the residential areas towards the western
part of the city is of concern as air pollution is found to increase by 6 to 8
times after opening the gates (about 17 in number) after passing of the train.
The main water supply intake at Bhaironghat pumping station is located in
the proximate down stream of Ranighat nallah where other minor streams
are discharging sewage into the channel. This is of great concern as the water
source gets contaminated and may become a potential source for cause of epidemics.
Leakage and intrusion of sewage and other contaminated effluent into the distribution
system is a common problem in the city affecting the drinking water quality at
the receiving end. Due to heavy silting in supply canal, raw water is not reaching
the tanks for treatment at Benajhabar water works.
About 60% KDA is without sewerage system. The septic tanks installed
by residents in these areas overflow on to roads. The total wastewater generated
is about 390 mld. About 20 storm water drains are carrying industrial and domestic
wastewater to River Ganga and about 7 drains to River Pandu. About 224 mld sewage
is discharged untreated. About 260 mld wastewater is flowing to river Ganga whereas
the trunk sewer that collects the sewage from the drains joining it has a capacity
of only 160 mld. Usage of hand pumps for drinking water poses severe threat when
the sewage is disposed into open drains or into soak pits.
About 1400 MT of garbage from domestic sources and 30 MT of
industrial waste are being generated daily from the city. Existing infrastructure
is fairly adequate to collect and dispose the solid waste. Apart from conventional
waste, about 15 MT of hazardous waste and 7.5 MT of bio-medical waste are being
generated from the city, for which a site for disposal is yet to be identified.
Roadside dumping of garbage is observed.
Solid waste dump site along national highway
In a few
areas the ground water is contaminated with toxic heavy metals and other pollutants.
The contamination of ground water is attributed to indiscriminate dumping of toxic
industrial waste on ground by some chemical industries in the past and these damages
are almost irreversible.
