Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, enforces vehicle curbs

The Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, has taken a step towards reducing carbon emission on campus by observing vehicle-free days.

The IIT (ISM) `campus is spread over an area of 393 acres (218 acres of existing campus and 175 acres under acquisition and development).

“No-vehicle days will be observed on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at IIT (ISM). Beginning Tuesday, November 9, we have implemented a programme to prohibit carbon-emitting automobiles from entering the academic area,” said Rajiv Shekhar, the director of IIT (ISM).

Vehicle fumes produce significant amounts of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and microscopic particles, leading to breathing and heart problems along with an elevated risk of cancer.

“The IIT (ISM) management has taken this initiative to curb the ill effects of vehicular pollution. Employees staying outside the campus are encouraged to use public transport or park their personal vehicles at the main gate and walk to their respective departments. Relaxation will be made for residents with difficulty in walking because of any underlying health conditions, movement of the ambulance and postal/courier services,” a spokesperson for IIT (ISM) said.

Rajni Singh, associate dean, media and branding IIT (ISM), Dhanbad, said the management of the institution hoped that the initiative would prompt some lifestyle changes. “I hope we will find ways to walk and cycle more throughout the year. Please remember that the intent is not to inconvenience anyone. The idea is simply to do our bit towards purifying the air we breathe. As the old adage goes, ‘We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.’ Let’s together strive to hand over a better quality of air to our next generation,” Singh said.

IIT (ISM) ranked 11 in the engineering category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2021 with nearly 6,000 students on its rolls. The institute has 18 branches of Engineering, Applied Sciences, Management Studies and Humanities.