As air pollution in the capital turns deadly, the government is grappling with solutions to bring down the Air Quality Index (AQI) that is currently nearing ‘severe’ levels.
The latest, as part of its plan to combat air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, is deploying more mist sprayers, especially across nine ‘pollution hotspots’ identified in the capital city, said Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, on Thursday.
Mist technology, which involves the use of water sprays to primarily curb dust pollution, is being seen as an effective solution against pollution, Gupta said, adding that trials of mist sprayers in some New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) areas has shown positive results.
“We are preparing an extensive plan to cover all the roads in Delhi with mist spray machines. Those fitted on 35 poles at ITO are showing good results,” the chief minister told reporters after inspecting mist sprayers installed at ITO, saying work is underway to install 305 more mist sprayers in the city.
Meanwhile, a high level committee comprising experts from various fields is being formed to advise the Delhi government on pollution remedies.
Also Read: Delhi AQI nears 'severe' level, some areas breach 400-mark
The panel, announced on Wednesday, will include senior officials from various government departments besides experts from IITs and specialists in environmental sciences, and will have special powers granted to it by the government, officials said.
The chief minister also urged people to report potholes on the Delhi government portal, while different departments, including the PWD, DSIIDC, and the DDA, among others, have been instructed to fill potholes, carpet roads, and plant foliage on road dividers and islands, besides undertaking other steps to curb pollution, she said.
She also asked Resident welfare associations (RWAs) to distribute electric heaters to security guards in residential areas to prevent biomass burning in winters that contributes to air pollution.
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