Water sprinklers to reduce dust pollution in Pune

Pune: Hazardous dust particles from development projects and private constructions in many parts of the city have been causing air pollution.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) bought three water-sprinkling tankers three years ago by spending Rs 1.20 crore. The vehicles were lying unused. Finally, they will be brought into use to check air pollution to some extent. The Standing Committee recently approved a proposal amounting to Rs 84.90 lakh in this connection.

Various projects such as flyovers, Metro routes, underpasses and roads are being built in the city. Vehicles transport loose gravel, ready-mix concrete and mud for these projects. This has given rise to hazardous dust particles across the city.

Citizens, particularly patients, children and elderly, are suffering due to such pollutants. The Centre has granted funds from its National Clean Air Programme to reduce dust in the city. These water sprinkling tankers have been purchased with money from the funds.

These tankers will sprinkle water on highly polluted roads such as Katraj-Kondhwa Road, IT Park Road in Kharadi and roads in front of the garbage depot in Handewadi and Fursungi. The machinery will be used for a 10-km road, along with footpaths and medians, which will total around 40 km. A water tanker’s capacity is 7,000 litres. The sprinkler mechanism is fixed in front of the vehicles. Two sprinkling nozzles each are installed on the right and left sides, four each at top on two sides and four in the front of the vehicle. Thus, 16 nozzles will be used to spray water on a road.

The sprinkled water will allow dust particles to settle. The vehicles will be used for two years. An estimated expenditure of Rs 84.90 lakh will be earmarked for the purpose, stated the proposal.