New Delhi, In a proactive move to address the escalating concerns of air pollution in the national capital, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has rolled out a comprehensive initiative, introducing cutting-edge machinery, including anti-smog guns, to operate 24/7. The endeavor aims to bolster the ongoing efforts to combat the challenging air quality in Delhi.
The NDMC has strategically incorporated the latest anti-smog guns, manufactured by Tata, equipped with the most extensive water tank capacity. This deployment ensures uninterrupted spraying across the city for extended periods. This initiative comes as Delhi continues to grapple with air quality categorized as ‘very poor.’
The anti-smog gun, mounted on a robust 28-ton CNG truck chassis, boasts an impressive water tank capacity of 17,000 liters. This substantial capacity enables continuous operation for three hours, minimizing downtime. With a vertical movement of up to 45 degrees and a horizontal movement of 220 degrees, the cannon ensures maximum coverage. The water throw capacity ranges from 30 to 50 meters, with side nozzles efficiently washing out footpaths, shrubs, and plants in the NDMC area.
The equipment, featuring 30 nozzles, each discharging 1.5 liters of water per minute, covers an average area of 70 km per day along roads in two shifts. The operational team, comprising 4-5 staff members, manages this extensive anti-smog campaign.
In addition to the anti-smog guns, a mist spray machine has been put into operation at Pt. Pant Marg in the NDMC area. To further tackle air pollution, 18 water tankers/trolleys, ranging in capacity from 5,000 to 10,000 liters, have been deployed for sprinkling water on trees and shrubs along main roads, utilizing sewage treatment plant (STP)-treated water.
Moreover, as part of the daily cleanliness drive, Swachhta Teams are actively involved in sweeping and washing pavements and roads, contributing to the reduction of dust and other air pollution elements.
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 385 on Sunday at 9 am. The recent surge in AQI levels follows the removal of certain curbs by the Centre last Saturday, with meteorological conditions possibly bringing relief in the coming days.
