Want a better look at Asia's largest fleet review? Go easy on the automobile pollution -- Navy

Want a better look at Asia's largest fleet review? Go easy on the automobile pollution -- Navy
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, SEPT 15: The stage is set for a spectacular display of 80 warships and 60 aircraft over the water, but the millions assembled on the waterfront to view this spectacle can't see beyond a few silhouettes blotted out by a smokescreen of pollution.

Faced with this worse case scenario of a winter smog blotting out its prestigious fleet review in February next year, the Indian Navy has appealed to citizens to help cut down on air pollution in the city. It is even launching a three-day clean air drive on the review days.

``The success of this event depends on good visibility,'' said Vice Admiral Madhvendra Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-chief Western Naval Command. Briefing the media about the the country's first international fleet review and Asia's largest, onboard the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, the C-in-c said that over 80 warships including 26 ships from foreign navies will line up in Mumbai harbour. The show will also feature a flypast by over 55 naval aircraft and aerobatic displays by IAF Sukhoi-30s and Kirans.

But Mumbai's pollution figures are as scary as the numbers of participating ships and aircraft are impressive. There belches out over 400 tonne of pollutants and suspended particulate matter each day. Over 80 per cent of this comes from automobile exhaust and the rest from industrial smokestacks. The dense winter smog from these pollutants that blankets the city is of particular concern for visibility of the review to be held between February 15 and 18.

The navy is now launching a clean air campaign between February 15 and 18 and urging factories to reduce their smoke discharge. ``Don't use cars, please use trains,'' Vice Admiral Singh requested the drivers of Mumbai's population of over a million automobiles.

In a conference earlier this year, the C-in-C had outlined a plan for a single pollution-free day on the eve of the fleet review. In low-vehicle conditions like bandhs and holidays, it was possible to clearly view ships on the horizon, he said.

The ships, `dressed' in ceremonial flags, will be anchored in eight rows, a few kilometres away from the Gateway of India. They include those from countries as far off as the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium and Australia. The ships will be inspected by the President on February 17. Over 55 Indian naval warships are to take part in the review, including the carrier Viraat, emerging from a two-year refit, all the three Delhi class destroyers and the navy's newest cruise missile submarine INS Sindhushastra.