Delhi government launches anti-smog gun campaign

The government finally launched the anti-smog gun campaign to beat air pollution in the national Capital on Monday. The gun, which was inaugurated by Environment Minister Imran Hussain, will be used to spray all the city roads under the Public Works Department (PWD).

The cannon has been launched as part of the Clean Delhi Air Campaign. The air quality index (AQI) has remained in the moderate category so far, this year. The cannon sprays atomised water, making the pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10) absorb it, thus clearing the air.

However, the campaign has been launched despite the real-time data gathered by the Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCC) during the experiment showing that the pollution levels did not fall much, and rather rose as the day progressed.

"Sixty-six teams have been constituted under the supervision of sub-divisional magistrates or tehsildars. These teams also include officers from respective municipal corporations, DPCC and officers of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). These teams are taking preventive action in different parts of the city," said a senior official.

According to officials in the environment department, the use of anti-smog gun is expected to suppress air-borne particles and dust on road surface. The cannon will be used for spraying on roadside vegetation also.

"This process is likely to reduce the contribution of particulate matter which settles on the vegetation due to road re-suspension and windblown dust. The gun will be used for next few days on different routes of PWD in consultation with the Delhi Traffic Police," said Hussain.

Also, the minister informed that the government is exploring various ways and means for the reduction of air pollution in the city.

"The Delhi government will undertake a trial of new technologies in its fight against pollution," the minister said.

Last winter, the government had experimented the use of the cannon at Anand Vihar - city's pollution hotspot.

THE USEFULNESS 

• The gun, which was inaugurated by Environment Minister Imran Hussain, will be used to spray all the city roads under the Public Works Department (PWD)
   
• The use of anti-smog gun is expected to suppress air-borne particles and dust on road surface. 

Environment Minister Imran Hussain inaugurates the gun