As the city grapples with air pollution, Jyotsna Mehta, a Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) corporator from South Mumbai has moved a notice of motion to set up anti-pollution towers in the city to combat air pollution. The issue will be taken up in the general body meeting of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on March 1.
Once accepted, the BMC may install anti-pollution towers in the city in the lines of Delhi to curb air pollution. In mid-January, air quality at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) was far worse than several places in Delhi, raising concerns over the health of thousands of people who visit the area daily.
Mehta said that air quality across the city is deteriorating day by day; a serious toxicological impact on human health and the environment. Even healthy people can experience health impacts from polluted air including respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. "Delhi and other states have already installed the anti-pollution tower that can nearly 90 per cent of the particulate matter," said Mehta. She added that the tower can clean air up to 3 km radius and over 75000 people will get clean air to breathe.
Last year, the Delhi government installed anti-pollution towers at several places across the city after air quality reached alarming levels. The anti-pollution tower is fitted with exhaust fans to suck in polluted air and removes nearly 90 per cent of the particulate matter, helping to bring down pollution levels and spews fresh air out.
Mehta said that this is in the interest of common people and is hopeful of full support from other members in the corporation meeting.
On January 15, the PM 2.5 levels of BKC on Monday was 348, as against an over AQI of Mumbai which was 212. Compared to this, several areas of Delhi witnessed better air quality. Pitampura (301), Delhi University (306), Chandni Chowk (312) and Mathura Road (313) all witnessed better air than BKC. Even the overall AQI of Delhi, at 283, was better than BKC's.
CLEANING TOXICITY
- The issue will be taken up in the general body meeting of BMC on March 1
- The anti-pollution tower is fitted with exhaust fans to suck in polluted air
- A machine inside the tower removes nearly 90% of the particulate matter, helping to bring down pollution levels and spews fresh air out.
- The tower has been installed in several cities including Delhi
