Mongolia Enhances Readiness Against Air Pollution and Traffic Challenges in Its Capital
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Ulan Bator, Dec 20 (NationPress) The government of Mongolia has announced a heightened state of readiness as of Friday, addressing the critical issues of severe air pollution, traffic congestion, and other urgent matters affecting the capital, Ulan Bator.
Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene stated during a press conference, “It is imperative that we acknowledge the unprecedented challenges facing Ulan Bator, including severe air pollution, traffic congestion, and energy shortages. These problems have reached a critical level.” He added, “Consequently, we are placing the capital under an elevated state of alert starting today.”
Oyun-Erdene highlighted the importance of developing a special legal framework to confront the urgent challenges the capital is facing.
He proposed that this matter should be presented to the State Great Khural (the Mongolian parliament) as a priority.
The Prime Minister also urged all citizens and organizations to actively assist and collaborate with the government in finding solutions to these pressing issues.
Ulan Bator was originally designed to accommodate 500,000 inhabitants; however, the city now hosts nearly half of the nation's population of 3.5 million.
More than half of Ulan Bator's population resides in its ger districts, where there is no running water, central heating, or sewage systems.
The worsening air quality, primarily caused by processed fuel heating, has raised significant public alarm as residents brace for the traditionally harsh winter conditions, as reported by Xinhua.
During winter months, PM 2.5 levels in both the ger districts and central areas of the city greatly exceed the safety limits recommended by the World Health Organization.
Alongside air pollution, traffic congestion poses one of the greatest challenges for Ulan Bator, which currently has 720,000 registered vehicles.
Moreover, Mongolia experiences severe power shortages in winter, compelling the capital to enforce power rationing to avert a total blackout. Recently, Ulan Bator has put measures in place to restrict power usage by district and time of day.
