BMC to wash 500 km of roads to bring down air pollution

With non-stop construction work and dug up lanes adding to the rising levels of air pollution across the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has announced to curb dust level by washing city roads. Activists have termed the move as another poll gimmick.

The civic body plans to clean nearly 500 kms of roads in island city and eastern suburbs by using recycled water from sewerage treatment plants at Mahim Causeway, Lovegrove in Worli and Chembur's RCF, from where a total of 22.5 million litre water is expected to be made available.

The BMC decided to revive the plan after its poor implementation despite making a provision in this regard in the budget for 2012-13. The corporation had then proposed to use its surplus tankers, fitted with pumps, for washing 25 kms of roads. However, the project didn't take off as expected.

"We want to take up the plan seriously now. We want to use not-potable water. Until now, we did not have adequate stock of non-potable water. Besides, we also want to increase the road length to be washed to around 500 km," standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale said.

Shewale, a Shiv Sena corporator from Mankhurd and party's candidate for Lok Sabha election from south central Mumbai, said the BMC plans to take up the dust control measure from M-West and M-East wards (which cover Chembur, Govandi, Mankhurd, etc).

On asked about higher dust level found across under construction sites, Shewale said the plan is being worked out to deal with the issue. "We are working on that draft. Our main focus as of now is to clean roads. As the number of vehicles goes up, the suspension of particles in air is experienced more. Hence, road washing will be paid attention to," Shewale added.

According to BMC's environment status report for last year, the level of suspended particulate matter in some parts of city was higher compared to the norms laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board – 140. In places like Bhandup, Andheri and Khar, the level was observed to be 260 units, 242 units and 227 units respectively.

However, civic activists feel the plan is just another populist announcement ahead of general election. Jaypal Shetty, member of F-North Ward Citizens' Federation, said, "This will pushed to the backburner eventually. If you can't wash 25 kms, then how will you manage 500 kms? This seems to be a poll promise, which will be as good as dead after the elections."