TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Director General of Pollution and Environmental Damage Control of the Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Ministry, Karliansyah, considered regulations that lowered the number of motorized vehicle operations, such as Car Free Day, have successfully improved air quality in Jakarta.

“That’s the fact, air quality on Saturday and Sunday improved, so it can be concluded that motorized vehicles highly contribute to air pollution,” said Karliansyah at the KLHK office, Jakarta, Friday, July 5.

In addition to the Car Free Day policy, Karliansyah hoped the odd-even policy could help tackle the city’s problem as well.

He asserted mass transportation and its supporting facilities must be developed in a bid to curb the use of private vehicles. Referring to the Committee for the Phasing Out of Leaded Fuel report in 2016, he added, motorized vehicles contributed up to 45 percent to air pollution, while industries accounted for 11 percent.

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The government has been striving to overcome the issue by pushing for the implementation of Euro 4 emission standard, B20 biodiesel, vehicle emission tests, eco-driving training, and campaigns on a healthy lifedata-style.

Additionally, the central government also supported regional administrations in enhancing eco-friendly public transportation services, developing city parks and forests, providing pedestrian lanes, and monitoring the emission quality standards of industries.

The ministry recorded that the capital’s air quality was still in the good category, based on the national ambient air quality standards at 65 micrograms per nanometer cubic. When compared to the standard of the World Health Organization at 25 micrograms per nanometer cubic, Jakarta’s air quality is categorized as moderate.

CAESAR AKBAR