Gurugram, Dec. 30 -- The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has directed 193 high-rise residential societies in Gurugram to install and operate smog guns or high-pressure water sprinkling systems as an immediate pollution-mitigation measure. The December 26 advisory aims to reduce particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) levels, especially during low wind speed and temperature inversion, officials said. The directive applies to tall structures in sectors and urban villages with dust resuspension and pollution hotspots. While the 193 societies are not publicly named, HSPCB regional officer Akansha Tanwar confirmed the action. Societies must install systems on rooftops for wider dispersion, operating them during early morning, evening, or when air quality deteriorates to poor, very poor, severe, or severe-plus levels. No specific deadline or penalty framework for non-compliance is specified, but societies must operate systems when the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) is in force. Treated sewage water should be used to conserve potable water. Directional nozzles and sufficient elevation must cover internal roads, parking, and common spaces without causing waterlogging, the advisory mentioned. Resident welfare associations must nominate a member to monitor operations and maintain a logbook for compliance checks, according to the advisory. The board emphasised that smog guns must accompany other measures like wet sweeping, prohibiting waste burning, covering construction material, promoting green buffers, and regulating diesel generator sets. "Collective action at the community level is essential to improve ambient air quality. These measures, if implemented sincerely, can help suppress dust and reduce residents' exposure to harmful pollutants," Tanwar said. The board urges resident cooperation and intensified sprinkling during adverse meteorological conditions, HSPCB officials said. Commenting on the efficacy of the initiative, analyst Dr. Arun Kumar of Envirocatalysts noted, "Compared to mobile, vehicle-mounted smog guns, high-pressure sprinklers are capable of covering larger areas without adding to vehicular emissions. They can serve as an effective short-term intervention... However, in the long run, sustained air quality improvement is better achieved through activity-based emission reduction measures."...