Anti-Smog Guns For Buildings, Dust Free Ring Road, GRAP | How Delhi Battles Pollution

Delhi continues to grapple with extreme air pollution, with the World Air Quality Report 2024 by IQAir featuring it as the most polluted capital city in the world. The hazardous consequences of air pollution continue to affect the citizens, as the city often records pollution-causing Particulate Matter (PM) in excessive quantities.

During the winters, Delhi people often wake up to 'very poor' or 'severe' category air quality, which underscores the urgent need for strong and immediate anti-pollution measures.

To make the national capital a healthy, breathable place for the citizens, Delhi recently launched a large-scale campaign to make the entire Ring Road dust-free. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also vowed to implement stringent and effective measures to tackle Delhi바카라™s air pollution

Anti-Smog Guns: Top points

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday made the installation of anti-smog guns mandatory for all high-rise, non-residential buildings in six months to combat pollution levels in the national capital.

The anti-smog guns spray nebulised water from elevated points to trap airborne pollutants.

As per the official directive, the number of anti-smog guns required will be determined by the building's built-up area. At least three anti-smog guns are required for buildings with a built-up area of less than 10,000 square metres. Following this rule, the number of guns increases by one additional gun required for every 5,000 square metres beyond 25,000 square metres.

It has been said that the equipment should be installed directly on the parapet walls without using mobile trailers and be fitted with nozzles capable of dispersing water droplets in the five to 20-micron range for optimal performance.

The guns are expected to have a throw distance of 75 to 100 metres and must operate intermittently during peak pollution hours, which include early morning, evening, and late at night.

The use of treated water has been mandated, and the water consumption for each machine should not exceed 1,200 litres per hour or 10,000 litres over an eight-hour day of operation.

Dust Free Ring Road Campaign

The Delhi government also launched a comprehensive campaign to make the entire Ring Road dust-free. The extensive endeavour also includes planting trees along roads and dividers and reducing traffic congestion on nearly 250 roads.

However, the campaign primarily focuses on the deployment of mechanised sweeping and the use of sprinklers to make the entire Ring Road dust-free.

Moreover, the campaign also plans to deploy sprinklers and smog guns throughout the year, except during the monsoon season.

GRAP: How Does This Work?

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is an emergency anti-pollution solution implemented when the air quality deteriorates to a particular point.

There are four stages of the plan based on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Stage I is implemented when the AQI is "poor" (201-300), while Stage II is for 'very poor' AQI (301-400). GRAP Stage III is required for AQI of the 'severe' category (401-450), and Stage IV is for the 'severe plus' range (AQI >450).

GRAP I & II

These two basic stages include water sprinkling and mechanical/vacuum sweeping of the designated routes every day, along with coordinating traffic patterns and raising parking costs to discourage private vehicle traffic.

Educating individuals on how to reduce pollution is an integral part of GRAP Stages I and II.

Strict rules are imposed as well on using and operating diesel gensets (DG sets)

GRAP III

In this advanced stage, all non-essential mining operations, constructions, and demolitions are halted. All non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses are restricted as well.

Commercial vehicles are not allowed to enter the National Capital Region (NCR), and BS-III gasoline and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will not be allowed to operate.

More roads are swept by machines, while water spraying also increases. Usage of public transportation is recommended.

GRAP IV

The final stage emphasises water sprinkling and mechanical/vacuum sweeping of the designated routes every day.

Coordinating traffic patterns and raising parking costs to discourage private vehicle traffic.

People are instructed to take public transportation as much as possible and choose a less crowded route.

Car air filters should be changed regularly.

Burning biomass and solid garbage outside should be avoided.