"DMRC to install Anti-smog guns to combat pollution," says: Officials

DMRC takes several other measures to minimise the impact of pollution emanating from its sites

New Delhi: Delhi is fighting against the rise in pollution rates post-Diwali. To tackle the situation Delhi Metro has planned to install more anti-smog guns at its project sites, officials said on Sunday.

Many construction sites have adopted various methods to combat pollution. Therefore, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has already pressed into service 14 anti-smog guns that throw fine mist at regular intervals to check dust pollution emanating from construction work.

Anti-smog guns are used for a long period in the capital. Construction activities have been halted at the moment in Delhi as per the instruction of authorities because of the increasing level of pollution in Delhi and neighbouring cities.

According to the Executive Director, Corporate Communication, DMRC- Anuj Dayal said, "Currently, all construction work apart from those which are non-polluting in nature have been stopped in compliance with relevant directions."

He also added, "While the DMRC is ensuring complete compliance to all the pollution-related instructions being issued from time to time, these mist guns have been installed as a permanent measure to combat pollution and are employed at the sites around the year." "Even when construction work is not going on, mist guns prevent the loose soil or earth stored at construction sites from being air-borne thus reducing air pollution," Mr Anuj added.

In a statement issued on Sunday by DMRC, "Currently, as part of its Ph-IV corridors, as well as some other construction projects, 12 civil contracts are operational across the national capital. These state-of-the-art ASGs are capable of spraying fine mist up to 70 to 100 m. One ASG is considered adequate for covering an area up to 20,000 sqm."

It is ensured that the water used for sprinkling is free from coliforms, viruses and bacteria. High-quality nozzles with droplet sizes of 10 to 50 micro m are used for greater impact, it said.

"With the gradual expansion of construction work in future, more such ASGs shall be introduced at the sites in the days ahead, as needed. DMRC's environment department is conducting regular inspections to ensure that the ASGs are regularly used at the sites by the contractors," a senior official said.