New 12-machine fleet to help MC combat air pollution in Chandigarh
Chandigarh: With roadside dust identified as one of the biggest detrimental to the city’s air quality, the Chandigarh municipal corporation is set to deploy 12 new mechanised cleaning and dust-suppression machines across the city as part of an intensified anti-pollution drive.The machines worth Rs 6
By Munieshwer A Sagar
Chandigarh: With roadside dust identified as one of the biggest detrimental to the city’s air quality, the Chandigarh municipal corporation is set to deploy 12 new mechanised cleaning and dust-suppression machines across the city as part of an intensified anti-pollution drive.The machines worth Rs 6 crore have been funded under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) through the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC).“The machines have been procured and will soon be made operational as a major measure to control air pollution,” said a senior MC official.The initiative comes in the wake of a CPCC survey conducted last year that identified exposed soil as a major source of PM10 pollution.
Preliminary findings of an ongoing source apportionment study by IIT Kanpur and IIT Ropar have also highlighted roadside dust as a key contributor to Chandigarh’s poor air quality.Officials said the city’s high traffic volume frequently disturbs loose dust and soil accumulated along roadsides, causing it to become airborne.
The problem worsens during winter when adverse weather conditions trap particulate matter close to the ground, leading to sharp deterioration in air quality.To address the issue, the civic body will deploy the new truck-mounted jetting machines that use high-pressure water jets to clean roads, drains and paved surfaces, removing dust and debris before they can become airborne.The fleet will also include truck-mounted fog cannon machines, or anti-smog guns, which spray a fine mist of water over roads, construction sites and other dust-prone areas.
Truck-mounted water tankers will undertake regular sprinkling on roads and open spaces to keep dust settled and prevent its suspension in the air.Self-propelled road sweeping machines equipped with vacuum systems will be used to remove dust, dirt and litter from road surfaces.
Officials said mechanised sweeping is expected to significantly reduce road dust emissions, one of the largest sources of particulate pollution in urban areas.The corporation will also deploy truck-mounted leaf collectors to gather fallen leaves and organic waste from roadsides and public spaces, reducing the chances of open burning that releases smoke and fine particulate matter.The machinery forms part of a broader dust-management strategy being implemented ahead of the winter season.
Planned measures include covering central verges with eco-friendly honeycomb paver blocks or dense vegetation, washing roads at night using tertiary-treated water, laying dedicated tertiary-water pipelines along major roads and ensuring water sprinkling before manual sweeping operations.Additionally, the horticulture wing of the UT Engineering Department will undertake plantation works worth Rs 95 lakh along Purv Marg, Dakshin Marg, Vikas Marg, Route No. 2 (NH-21) and Paschim Marg.
The project, involving plantation of trees, shrubs and installation of tree guards to fill green gaps along roads, is scheduled to be completed within two months.Officials said the combined measures are aimed at reducing PM10 and PM2.5 levels, improving urban cleanliness and preventing severe winter pollution episodes in the city.BOX: A new fleetThe machines worth Rs 6 crore have been funded under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) through the Chandigarh Pollution Control CommitteeEquipment Type | UseTruck-mounted jetting machines (3) | High-pressure washing of accumulated mud linesTruck-mounted fog cannons/anti-smog (5) | Suspended dust suppression on major corridorsWater sprinklers (truck mounted) (2) | Tree and central verge canopy moisture applicationSelf-propelled road sweeping machines (1) | Suction sweeping of dry sediment from asphaltTruck-mounted leaf collectors (1) | Eliminating biomass fuel that breaks down into dustYou Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chandigarh | Silver Rate in Chandigarh | Bank Holidays in Chandigarh | Public Holidays in Chandigarh | Chandigarh AQI | Weather in Chandigarh | Petrol Price in Chandigarh | Diesel Price in Chandigarh | CNG Price in Chandigarh | LPG Price in ChandigarhStay updated with the latest Chandigarh news.
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