BMC implements dust mitigation measures across Mumbai, including road washing and water spraying, to improve air quality and reduce pollution | File Photo
Mumbai: To combat air pollution, the BMC has resumed washing both major and minor roads throughout the city. This includes the use of truck-mounted fog mist cannon machines to regularly spray water on busy roads.
Additionally, 100 tankers have been deployed for road washing to remove dust. Furthermore, e-sweeper machines are being used to clean streets and sidewalks to help prevent the spread of dust.
The city has been experiencing poor air quality since last week, which has negatively affected the health of the citizens. Unsettled dust particles are a significant contributor to the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI). To address this issue and improve air quality, the BMC is implementing its Dust Mitigation Plan.
On Friday, several areas of Mumbai continued to fall under the ‘Poor’ category for AQI. The areas with the poorest AQIs included Borivali East (206), Navy Nagar-Colaba (263), Mazgaon (207), and Malad West (264), according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
The BMC has undertaken several measures to prevent air pollution in the city through joint efforts of the environment, solid waste management, building proposal, Roads and Traffic and several other departments as well as ward offices.
The civic body has formulated localised measures to reduce air pollution according to the specific needs of their respective areas. Water spraying is being carried out through truck-mounted fog mist cannon machines in two shifts across all 24 administrative wards. The spraying is being done intensively at locations where construction, demolition, and excavation activities are taking place.
“The sub-engineer of environment department form each ward coordinates with various departments and conducts daily site inspections to determine vehicle routes. In addition, 100 tankers have been deployed for washing roads. These include 67 tankers with a capacity of 5,000 liters and 39 tankers with a capacity of 9,000 liters. It is being ensured that water spraying is regularly done on construction materials in open or exposed areas. Action is being taken against vehicles that transport unlicensed or illegal construction debris, as well as those that do not cover their loads or take any safety precautions,” said a senior civic official.
The BMC has cleaned and washed 248 kilometers of roads by 6 pm on Friday. The cleaning operation involved 95 machines, including water tankers, firex machines, and misting machines.
In addition, 98 vehicles such as JCBs, dumpers, mechanical sweepers, e-sweepers, and litter pickers were used for dust collection and transporting construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
A total of 159 tons of C&D waste were collected and transported to the processing center. Furthermore, 352 cleanup marshals collected fines amounting to Rs. 52,000 from individuals who polluted public spaces.
