After a coordination meeting with toll road operators here on Monday, the ministry's Deputy for Pollution Control and Environmental Damage, Rasio Ridho Sani, drew attention to the worsening air quality in major cities, including the Greater Jakarta area.
Meanwhile, he noted that motor vehicle exhaust accounts for about 32 percent to 41 percent of the emissions during the rainy season.
Emissions from motor vehicles are more likely to rise during traffic congestion, particularly on toll roads in major cities.
"This indeed shows a very significant correlation between motor vehicle emissions and air quality," he added.
Hence, as several regions in Indonesia enter the dry season, the Environment Ministry has urged toll road operators to expand their role in mitigating air pollution.
It has also called on toll road area managers to contribute to addressing air pollution.
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To this end, his side advocates for increasing green open spaces in toll road rest areas, which are gathering points for drivers.
In addition, Sani pushed for planting trees along toll roads to absorb carbon dioxide released by motorized vehicles.
He also called for efforts to support the government's activities in monitoring air quality at various points to make it easier and to identify pollution sources more swiftly and accurately.
The Environment Ministry held a coordination meeting with toll road operators to boost air pollution control and waste management.
Sani explained that while toll roads have an important role in road transportation, they can also be sources of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
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Translator: Prisca, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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