(Chandigarh Bureau) : Chandigarh Municipal Corporation today added two sprinkler vehicles with inbuilt tracking systems to combat increasing air and dust pollution in the city, under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). City Mayor Sh. Anup Gupta flagged off two water sprinkler vehicles from MCC office premises, sector 17 here today in the presence of Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Commissioner, Sh. Kanwarjeet Singh, Senior Deputy Mayor, other councilors and officers of MCC.
While sharing about the new facility provided in the city, the Mayor said that the MCC has purchased two water sprinkler vehicles costing Rs. 119 lacs under NCAP funds. These will be used in different areas to combat dust pollution. He said that spraying of water on the trees/plants and streets are one of the important measures to reduce the suspended particulate matter (SPM) and dust in the city. He said that these vehicles will be operated on the roads/areas which are most polluted.
He said that the sprinkler vehicles will improve the existing standards of public health and environmental quality by establishing efficient mechanism for dust suppression. The main objective is to ensure clean and pollution free air, reduce dust particles in the environment and facilitate photosynthesis by spraying water over the leaves, the Mayor added.
He further said that the vehicle has more than 9,000 litres of water tank capacity fitted with adequate nozzles for spraying. The machine throws mist to a minimum of 30 M distance in the air which will reduce air pollution less than 2.5 PM dust. A GPS tracker will also be fitted to these water sprinkler vehicles which will be integrated with Command Centre. He thanked the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee for providing the funds to Municipal Corporation.