Mumbai, Nov. 10 -- The Public Works Department (PWD) has formed two committees to inspect 200 truck-mounted anti-smog guns as air quality deteriorates in the national capital. The equipment will be deployed as part of a pollution-control plan aimed at reducing dust on roads, construction sites and other areas ahead of winter.
The committees comprise eight PWD officials and will check whether each anti-smog gun is functioning properly. Physical inspection and functional verification have been made mandatory, and no vehicle carrying the equipment can be installed, operated or deployed until its fitness has been certified.
The inspection teams will conduct field-level checks according to the terms and conditions of the tender and verify the equipment within their respective jurisdictions. The committees will cover PWD's Shahdara, East, North-East, Project, South, South-East and South-West circles.
The department also plans a special drive for intensive cleaning and dust control across its 1,400-km road network. Under the plan, each of the 200 anti-smog guns will be used to clean at least 200 metres of road every day, alongside the removal of dust, cleaning of kerb channels and bell mouths, and debris clearance.
The equipment sprays fine water droplets to settle dust and suspended particles, including PM2.5. Mounted on vehicles fitted with water tanks, the guns can spray water up to a height of 50 metres. PWD has directed executive engineers in all road maintenance divisions to arrange field inspections immediately, coordinate with the committees and assist with verification. The measures follow Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's direction to strengthen monitoring as winter approaches.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.